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

Select prospects will be contacted to proceed with the membership application process, and membership is highly selective and guided by the committee, which considers individuals whose lifestyle and interests naturally reflect the spirit of the club. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The complete list of nominees appears below, followed by a selective list of their most significant songs. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026

Cut brown orchid stems completely; green ones may need selective pruning. —Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 Jan. 2026

The new guidelines offer parents advice for effectively managing a child’s digital use, including being more selective about which sites to visit. —Dr. Tyler Beauchamp, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2026

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