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

• electives
  plural

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

elective British  

/ ɪˈlɛktɪv /

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• electives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of elective

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

Explanation

Something that's elective is optional — you can choose to do it, or not. An elective course in school is one you take because you want to rather than to fill a particular requirement, although you still get credit for it. You can take elective classes in high school or college. In fact, the word elective is sometimes used as a noun, to mean "optional class." Also, if someone has elective surgery, that means he’s getting an optional operation, like a nose job or a face-lift. In either case, nothing is required or compulsory — it's a free choice. The word comes from the Latin electivus, by way of eligere, "pick out or select," which is also the root of election.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

elective electives

The fact that it outlived “The Swan” by several years only enhanced its role in mainstreaming elective cosmetic surgery.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

The Causeway site will be used for elective general surgery.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said it continued to work closely with health trusts to assess how surgery, both elective surgery and EGS, could be delivered safely and sustainably at Causeway Hospital.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

They often stop coming for elective procedures, hurting revenue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Why did I take choir as my elective?

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Her children, who are now adults, would constantly be pulled out of class and weren’t able to take electives like their peers as they got older.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

I completed a double major in politics and cinema studies at New York University in 3½ years by using advanced-placement and internship credits and avoiding electives that didn’t move me toward graduation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

While some language courses will still be available for students as electives, the university made it clear the programs were on the chopping block.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 30, 2023

More electives and club options tailored to what students want.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 28, 2023

“I switched electives when I came back from winter break. I’m in band now.”

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

Related Words

• electoral