selective

adjective se·lec·tive \ sə-ˈlek-tiv \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: selective in a Sentence

Definition of selective

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

2 : highly specific in activity or effect

selective pesticides

selective absorption

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selectively

adverb

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selectiveness

noun

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selectivity

play \sə-ˌlek-ˈti-və-tē, ˌsē-\ noun

See selective defined for English-language learners

See selective defined for kids

Examples of selective in a Sentence

The club is selective in choosing members.
The college has a highly selective admissions process.

Recent Examples of selective from the Web

Emory University and Georgia Tech were among the 200 selective schools researched for the report.

— eric stirgus, ajc, "Study: More middle-income students squeezed from top colleges," 12 July 2018
At the plate, that has meant tightening up his swing — keeping his front shoulder closed against left-handed pitching — and, specifically this season, being more selective.

— billy witz, New York Times, "Anything Andrelton Can Do, Didi Will Try to Do Better," 29 Apr. 2018
That will allow the school to be more selective for the 1-2-1 program.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Demand for more nurses drives tech schools, private colleges to create new paths to BSN degrees," 16 Mar. 2018
Faced with more open jobs than there are unemployed workers, businesses are becoming a bit less selective in their hiring, said Josh Howarth, president of the mid-Atlantic district for staffing firm Robert Half International.

— christopher rugaber, The Seattle Times, "American workers’ willingness to quit hits 17-year high," 10 July 2018
Cincinnati Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said Peraza is still becoming more selective at the plate.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "More comfortable at the plate, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jose Peraza showing his potential," 2 July 2018
Without the test requirement, more students may be emboldened to apply to a school that previously seemed out of reach, which will in turn also lower admission rates and make the school appear more selective.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Why the University of Chicago Is Dropping Its SAT/ACT Test Requirement," 15 June 2018
In addition, applications can rise, which lowers admission rates and makes schools look more selective.

— nick anderson, chicagotribune.com, "University of Chicago eliminates SAT/ACT requirement," 14 June 2018
Still, this is unlikely to be another class with a final count in the 20s, so Louisville can be more selective.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville football's 2019 recruiting class is off to a slow start," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'selective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of selective

1625

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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selective Synonyms

SELECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

selective

adjective

Definition of selective for English Language Learners

: careful to choose only the best people or things
: involving the selection of people or things from a group

SELECTIVE Defined for Kids

selective

adjective se·lec·tive \ sə-ˈlek-tiv \

Definition of selective for Students

: careful to choose or include only the best or most suitable individuals

a selective college

Medical Dictionary

selective

adjective se·lec·tive \ sə-ˈlek-tiv \

medical Definition of selective

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

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selective

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selective

medical Definition of selective

selectively

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