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

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Etymology

Origin of elective

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

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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

This is known as Christmas Day cover and is likely to have a major impact on most routine and elective services.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

It’s the latest elective, cash-pay scan for asymptomatic people that raises either hopes or eyebrows, depending on how you view our healthcare system.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

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

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

They often stop coming for elective procedures, hurting revenue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Now, there are eight kids in the elective, and seven of them were squished together on one side of the plate while one of them—me—had loads of room on the other side.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

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

Students complete the core requirements of the business program, including 1,000 hours of industry experience and classes specific to the major, as well as electives in other parts of WSU that focus on aging.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 24, 2023

Like being president was part of registering and choosing electives.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

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Related Words

• electoral

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