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

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

Etymology

Origin of elective

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

Example Sentences

He told the court: "Without relief, they face the risk of criminal prosecution, a fine, a three-year disqualification from elective office, and, if Mr Goodwin were elected, potential invalidation of the result."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

At 19, I had “top surgery”—a euphemism for an elective double mastectomy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Finally, some states have an elective share — a minimum amount that a spouse may inherit, in the absence of prenup or postnup.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

Dunbar is on an elective residency visa, which forbids her from working while she’s there, so she has to rely on passive income.

From Slate • Feb. 1, 2026

True, handwriting was still offered as an elective, but, aside from herself, she knew few people who had taken it.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• electoral