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

The new club will forgo the famously selective door policy associated with Studio 54, with Schrager hoping its atmosphere will attract a like-minded crowd. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Contributions came from up and down the lineup — from Bryson Stott being more selective to Bryce Harper walking a league-leading 31 times. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Warsh pointed to widening credit spreads for some assets as evidence that investors are becoming more selective. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Key Takeaways These artificial channels are up to five times more selective for lithium, offering a simpler way to extract the critical battery material. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 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