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, 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

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

In focusing on elective abortion procedures, the court didn’t address all procedures for terminating a pregnancy.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2026

Mark Taylor, regional clinical director for elective care, said robotic surgery is "very innovative".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

An elective share refers to the minimum amount that a spouse may inherit in the absence of prenup or postnup.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Given its high exposure to the middle-income segment, its Thai patient flows could soften under a weaker economic backdrop as these patients may seek cheaper alternatives or delay elective procedures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

I headed off to government, Ben to an elective about video game design.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

Related Words

• electoral