selective

adjective

se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select

2

: highly specific in activity or effect

selective pesticides

selective absorption

selectively adverb

selectiveness noun

selectivity

sə-ˌlek-ˈti-və-tē 

ˌsē-

noun

Synonyms

• particular
• choosy
• picky
• choosey
• nice

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

My intended lesson on Douglass’s rhetoric evolved into one about selective editing, censorship and hidden agendas. —Frederic J. Fransen, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2025

In Norway, conscription is obligatory yet very selective, applying to men and women. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025

At times, the challenge lies not in confronting a single actor but in navigating a complex ecosystem, one sustained by short-term incentives and selective ignorance. —Shalini Singh, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025

In both movies and TV, Apple has been selective with its programming strategy. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing selective

• selective breeding
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• selective memory
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• selective service

Rhymes for selective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

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 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select

2

: highly specific in activity or effect

selective pesticides

selective permeability of a plasma membrane

selectively adverb