inclusive

American  

[in-kloo-siv] / ɪnˈklu sɪv /

adjective

1. including or encompassing the stated limit or extremes in consideration or account (usually used after the noun).

   from May to August inclusive.

2. including a great deal, or encompassing everything concerned; comprehensive.

   an inclusive art form;

   an inclusive fee.

   Synonyms:

   all-embracing, general, overall

3. enclosing; embracing.

   an inclusive fence.

4. aiming to include and integrate all people and groups in activities, organizations, political processes, etc., especially those who are disadvantaged, have suffered discrimination, or are living with disabilities.

   inclusive hiring practices;

   inclusive playgrounds.

5. relating to or being language or terminology that does not exclude a particular group of people and that avoids bias, stereotypes, etc..

   the use of singular “they” as an inclusive, gender-neutral pronoun.

6. relating to or being educational practices in which students with physical or mental disabilities are taught in regular classrooms and provided with certain accommodations.

7. Grammar. (of the first person plural) including the person or persons spoken to, as we in Shall we dance?

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idioms

1. inclusive of, including; also taking into account.

   Europe, inclusive of the British Isles, is negotiating new trade agreements.

inclusive British  

/ ɪnˈkluːsɪv /

adjective

1. considered together (with)

   capital inclusive of profit

2. (postpositive) including the limits specified

   Monday to Friday inclusive is five days

3. comprehensive

4. not excluding any particular groups of people

   an inclusive society

5. logic (of a disjunction) true if at least one of its component propositions is true Compare exclusive

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superinclusively
  adverb
• noninclusive
  adjective
• noninclusively
  adverb
• uninclusive
  adjective
• quasi-inclusively
  adverb
• inclusiveness
  noun
• superinclusive
  adjective
• inclusively
  adverb
• inclusivity
  noun
• quasi-inclusive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of inclusive

First recorded in 1400–50; from late Middle English, from Medieval Latin inclūsīvus, equivalent to Latin inclūs(us) + -īvus -ive ( def. ) ; see origin at incluse

Explanation

Call something inclusive when it's designed or inclined to include. An exclusive club might let you in, but an inclusive one will ask you to join, no strings attached. Inclusive is an adjective with several meanings: It can be used to describe something that's broad or extensive, such as thorough, inclusive research project. Or it describes a group that's particularly welcoming to all kinds of people. And an inclusive range is one where the limits are included along with what lies in between: a survey of “20-40 year-olds, inclusive” tells us 20 and 40 year-olds were counted, too.

Example Sentences

The pair had already been working to make the festival more inclusive.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

After our visit to Adat Reyim, an inclusive, independent synagogue in Springfield, Virginia, I befriended its spiritual leader, Rabbi Bruce Aft.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

In a nod to price-weary visitors, Caesars and MGM Resorts this year introduced inclusive packages at their more-affordable properties.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

It may well be true that stitching multicultural communities together requires us to be more curious, inclusive neighbors.

From Slate • May 26, 2026

While he undoubtedly thought this description cast a wide and inclusive net that pulled in residents from all the regions or sections of the United States, it did not include all inhabitants.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• broad
• comprehensive