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

But pop culture’s depiction of cowboys and the American West is selective. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025

Given the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, Sorbara is more cautious and selective in the near term. —CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025

Overall, training is probably more important than selective recruitment, although recruitment can be necessary for specialists with specific areas of expertise. —Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025

Beyond its legal implications, the case reignites debates about classification standards, selective prosecution, and national security transparency. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 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