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 of selective

• particular
• choosy
• picky
• 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

Researchers suggest combining it with evaporation, selective adsorbents, or lithium-precipitating chemicals. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

The country’s most selective colleges still enroll large proportions of students from the wealthiest 1% of American families. —Collin Binkley, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025

In a space where a co-sign or a brand deal can seem like the move, Grant is selective about what Saint & Citizen attaches itself to. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 Dec. 2025

This move also fits with their aesthetic obsessions, which are rooted in a selective view of the past. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 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