elective

[ih-lek-tiv]

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.

noun

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

elective

/ 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

noun

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elective¹

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

Example Sentences

Pre-planned or elective care is put on hold but at no point does the NHS have to turn away emergency patients.

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When hospitals returned to operating normally, that unsatisfied demand led to a surge in elective procedures that resulted in higher-than-expected medical costs for insurers.

Read more on Barron's

In North Carolina, the elective share is between 15% and 50% depending on the length of marriage, and it only applies to assets contained in the deceased spouse’s estate and/or revocable trust.

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Be aware that spouses can claim an elective share of their late spouse’s estates in many states; a good prenup could help override such state law.

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Now, at 85, Pelosi is bowing out of elective politics altogether.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• electoral