selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv 
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective absorption
Examples of selective in a Sentence
The club is selective in choosing members.
The college has a highly selective admissions process.
Recent Examples on the Web
This selective approach not only reduces stress but also boosts the potential for success in key projects.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Tuning out the world can become selective avoidance.
—Morgan Mercer, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023
Finally, more spectrally selective emitters, like the glass-bead design and the multilayer hafnia design described, cool to much lower temperatures than black paint on aluminum, and therefore increase the power density.
—Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023
The aircrew was able to locate the two people and their dog because their sailboat instantly sent out a digital selective calling (DSC) alert, which notified the Coast Guard of their position, according to said Lt. j.g.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
In addition to the NFL being selective in its reporting, there’s a lot of evidence that the players are as well.
—James M. Smoliga, Dvm, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
The gene gives them a selective advantage in places like Africa, where malaria is rampant.
—Gina Kolata, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
For more selective programs, where the line between acceptance and rejection is fine, the subjective nature of human evaluation is irreplaceable.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Cancellations have grown more commonplace as streamers get more selective.
—Jake Coyle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
Tuning out the world can become selective avoidance.
—Morgan Mercer, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023
Finally, more spectrally selective emitters, like the glass-bead design and the multilayer hafnia design described, cool to much lower temperatures than black paint on aluminum, and therefore increase the power density.
—Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023
The aircrew was able to locate the two people and their dog because their sailboat instantly sent out a digital selective calling (DSC) alert, which notified the Coast Guard of their position, according to said Lt. j.g.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023
In addition to the NFL being selective in its reporting, there’s a lot of evidence that the players are as well.
—James M. Smoliga, Dvm, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
The gene gives them a selective advantage in places like Africa, where malaria is rampant.
—Gina Kolata, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
For more selective programs, where the line between acceptance and rejection is fine, the subjective nature of human evaluation is irreplaceable.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Cancellations have grown more commonplace as streamers get more selective.
—Jake Coyle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'selective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing selective
Dictionary Entries Near selective
Cite this Entry
“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv
: of or relating to selection : selecting or tending to select
selective shoppers
Medical Definition
selective
adjective
se·lec·tive
sə-ˈlek-tiv
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective permeability of a plasma membrane
selectively
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on selective
Nglish: Translation of selective for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of selective for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share