selective

[si-lek-tiv]

adjective

1. having the function or power of selecting; making a selection.

2. characterized by selection, especially fastidious selection.

   Synonyms: discerning, particular, discriminating

3. of or relating to selection.

4. Electricity, Radio.,  having good selectivity.

selective

/ sɪˈlɛktɪv /

adjective

1. of or characterized by selection

2. tending to choose carefully or characterized by careful choice

3. electronics occurring at, operating at, or capable of separating out a particular frequency or band of frequencies

Other Word Forms

• selectively adverb
• selectiveness noun
• nonselective adjective
• unselective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of selective¹

First recorded in 1615–25; select + -ive

Example Sentences

The results showed that those guided by the personalized algorithm viewed fewer features overall and did so in a patterned, selective manner.

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“But moderate-income consumers are pulling back and middle–income consumers are being very selective.”

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The main takeaways are that Americans are selective in their spending and are prioritizing value as concerns over inflation and affordability mount among lower- and middle-income consumers.

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Investors are getting more selective when it comes to large technology stocks.

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The researchers aimed to demonstrate both selective delivery to the brain and proper activation of the target immune cells.

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Related Words

• careful 
• choosy 
• discriminatory 
• fussy 
• judicious 
• scrupulous