elective

American  

[ih-lek-tiv] / ɪˈlɛk tɪv /

adjective

1. pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc.

2. chosen by election, as an official.

3. bestowed by or derived from election, as an office.

4. having the power or right of electing to office, as a body of persons.

5. open to choice; optional; not required.

   an elective subject in college; elective surgery.

   Synonyms:

   discretionary, voluntary

   Antonyms:

   necessary, obligatory

6. Chemistry. selecting for combination or action; tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others.

   elective attraction.

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noun

1. an optional study; a course that a student may select from among alternatives.

elective British  

/ ɪˈlɛktɪv, ˌiːlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or based on selection by vote

   elective procedure

2. selected by vote

   an elective official

3. having the power to elect

4. open to choice; optional

   an elective course of study

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noun

1. an optional course or hospital placement undertaken by a medical student

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonelectiveness
  noun
• preelective
  adjective
• unelective
  adjective
• electively
  adverb
• nonelectively
  adverb
• nonelective
  adjective
• electivity
  noun
• electiveness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of elective

1520–30; < Medieval Latin ēlēctīvus, equivalent to Latin ēlēct ( us ) ( see elect) + -īvus -ive

Explanation

Something that's elective is optional — you can choose to do it, or not. An elective course in school is one you take because you want to rather than to fill a particular requirement, although you still get credit for it. You can take elective classes in high school or college. In fact, the word elective is sometimes used as a noun, to mean "optional class." Also, if someone has elective surgery, that means he’s getting an optional operation, like a nose job or a face-lift. In either case, nothing is required or compulsory — it's a free choice. The word comes from the Latin electivus, by way of eligere, "pick out or select," which is also the root of election.

Example Sentences

Elective care refers to medical tests or treatment that can be planned well in advance, in contrast to unscheduled care such as emergency surgery.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023

Between November 2018 and March 2023, more than 51,000 patients have been seen through the GP Elective Care Service.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2023

Elective procedures are a major component of medical tourism, said Daniel Béland, a professor of political science at McGill University who has studied health policy.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2023

Elective care in the NHS usually refers to non-urgent surgery, outpatient care and diagnostic tests.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2023

He had translated Wilhelm Meister in 1824, and it was probably at his suggestion that Froude translated Elective Affinities for Bohn's Library in 1850.

From The Life of Froude by Paul, Herbert W. (Herbert Woodfield)

Related Words

• electoral