exclusive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​clu·​sive ik-ˈsklü-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: excluding or having power to exclude

b

: limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group

2

a

: excluding others from participation

b

: snobbishly aloof

3

a

: accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class)

b

: stylish, fashionable

c

: restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense

4

a

: single, sole

exclusive jurisdiction

b

: whole, undivided

his exclusive attention

exclusiveness noun

exclusive

2 of 2

noun

: something exclusive: such as

a

: a news story at first released to or reported by only one source

b

: an exclusive right (as to sell a particular product in a certain area)

Did you know?

In words such as expel, export, and exclusive, the prefix ex- means "out of, outside". Thus, to exclude means basically to close the door in order to keep someone or something out. When the word appears in an advertisement, it's often making an appeal to snobs. An "exclusive" offer is supposedly made to only a few people; not so many years ago, "exclusive" housing developments excluded those of a certain race or color. If a product is being sold exclusively by one store, you won't be able to find it anywhere else. When a newspaper or news show has an exclusive, it's a story that no one else has yet reported. Exclusive's antonym is inclusive; an inclusive policy, an inclusive church, or an inclusive approach is one that aims to include as many people as possible.

Synonyms

Adjective

• sole

Examples of exclusive in a Sentence

Adjective

He belongs to an exclusive club.

She attended an exclusive private school.

one of the city's most exclusive restaurants

They gave their exclusive attention to the job.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That August, a reporter for El Faro, a prominent investigative news outlet, was chasing an exclusive story to expose the gang pact. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025

Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025

Noun

In the model preferred by YouTube, even streaming exclusives (like Premier League soccer on Peacock, for example) would be accessible directly via YouTube TV as opposed to having to leave the app. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

The American exclusive will be limited to just 10 examples, with the price available upon request. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exclusive

• exclusive disjunction
• exclusive economic zone
• exclusive of
• mutually exclusive

Rhymes for exclusive

• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• elusive
• extrusive
• illusive
• inclusive
• intrusive

Kids Definition

exclusive

adjective

ex·​clu·​sive

iks-ˈklü-siv,

-ziv

1

: excluding or trying to exclude others

an exclusive neighborhood

2

: sole entry 4 sense 2a

we have exclusive use of the beach

3

: full entry 1 sense 2c, complete

gave their exclusive attention to the job

exclusively adverb

exclusiveness noun

Legal Definition

exclusive

adjective

ex·​clu·​sive

1

a

: excluding or having power to exclude others

exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries

—U.S. Constitution art. I

b

: being independent from or not shared by others : sole

exclusive control

exclusive use

2

: limiting or limited to possession, ownership, or use by a single individual or group

an exclusive lease