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

• choosy
• choosey
• particular
• picky

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

Bottom line As shoppers get more selective, investors in retail need to do the same. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024

Brands get Strategic With Product Selection for Promotions Rather than blanket discounts, brands are becoming more selective about their promotional strategy. —Kiri Masters, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The methods used in the report fail to take account of basic journalistic principles and practice, and often rely on selective interpretations and incomplete evidence. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024

Yes, but: The mayor and CTU have always been open about more support for neighborhood schools, but Johnson said in May closing selective enrollment schools is not on the table. —Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024

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

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