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Synonyms

exclusive

American  
[ik-skloo-siv, -ziv] / ɪkˈsklu sɪv, -zɪv /

adjective

  1. not admitting of something else; incompatible.

    mutually exclusive plans of action.

  2. omitting from consideration or account (often followed byof ).

    a profit of ten percent, exclusive of taxes.

    Antonyms:
    inclusive
  3. limited to the object or objects designated.

    exclusive attention to business.

  4. shutting out all others from a part or share.

    an exclusive right to film the novel.

  5. fashionable; stylish.

    to patronize only the most exclusive clothing designers.

  6. charging comparatively high prices; expensive.

    exclusive shops.

  7. noting that in which no others have a share.

    exclusive information.

  8. single or sole.

    the exclusive means of communication between two places.

  9. disposed to resist the admission of outsiders to association, intimacy, etc..

    an exclusive circle of intimate friends.

    Synonyms:
    illiberal, cliquish, restrictive, snobbish, clannish, narrow, select
  10. admitting only members of a socially restricted or very carefully selected group.

    an exclusive club.

  11. excluding or tending to exclude or prohibit, as from use or possession.

    exclusive laws;

    exclusive restrictions on use of the property.

  12. Grammar. (of the first person plural) not including the person or persons spoken to, as we in We'll see you later.


noun

  1. Journalism. a piece of news, or the reporting of a piece of news, obtained by a newspaper or other news organization, along with the privilege of using it first.

  2. an exclusive right or privilege.

    to have an exclusive on providing fuel oil to the area.

exclusive British  
/ ɪkˈskluːsɪv, ˌɛkskluːˈsɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. excluding all else; rejecting other considerations, possibilities, events, etc

    an exclusive preoccupation with money

  2. belonging to a particular individual or group and to no other; not shared

    exclusive rights

    an exclusive story

  3. belonging to or catering for a privileged minority, esp a fashionable clique

    an exclusive restaurant

  4. limited (to); found only (in)

    this model is exclusive to Harrods

  5. single; unique; only

    the exclusive means of transport on the island was the bicycle

  6. separate and incompatible

    mutually exclusive principles

  7. (immediately postpositive) not including the numbers, dates, letters, etc, mentioned

    1980–84 exclusive

  8. except (for); not taking account (of)

    exclusive of bonus payments, you will earn this amount

  9. commerce (of a contract, agreement, etc) binding the parties to do business only with each other with respect to a class of goods or services

  10. logic (of a disjunction) true if only one rather than both of its component propositions is true Compare inclusive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an exclusive story; a story reported in only one newspaper

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does exclusive mean? Exclusive is most commonly used to describe things that are limited to certain people.Exclusive can be thought of as an adjective form of the verb exclude, which means to shut out or keep out—the opposite of include. It can be applied in many different contexts, but almost all of them have to do with there being a limit on something, especially on how many people have access to something.Exclusive can also be used as a noun referring to something that is available from only one place, especially a news story that is only being reported by a particular news organization or a product that is only being offered by one store.Example: The highly exclusive event was only for A-list celebrities, but they let Ryan Reynolds in for some reason.

Other Word Forms

  • exclusively adverb
  • exclusiveness noun
  • exclusivity noun
  • nonexclusive adjective
  • preexclusive adjective
  • semiexclusive adjective
  • ultraexclusive adjective
  • unexclusive adjective

Etymology

Origin of exclusive

First recorded in 1400–50; 1900–05 exclusive for def. 13; (adjective) late Middle English from Medieval Latin exclūsīvus; exclusion, -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company holds an exclusive position in city gas distribution across India’s National Capital Territory around Delhi, with infrastructure exclusivity supporting its operations, Karim says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

It said that ship was loaded with 1.8 million barrels of crude oil at a Venezuelan port earlier this month before being escorted out of the Latin American country's exclusive economic zone on December 18.

From Barron's

He not only reported on the front-line fighting but also won exclusive, and controversial, interviews with then-President Saddam Hussein and future 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

From Los Angeles Times

It is now seeing customers return for exclusive toys like Statue of Liberty Funko Pops, as well as experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is logically impossible for two different entities to have exclusive titles on the same plot.

From The Wall Street Journal