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 ) ( 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 theory, the elective share acknowledges the joint efforts that both spouses put into their marriage.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

The busiest time for elective surgeries in the winter shifts slightly by region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 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

All hospitals and “nearly all” medical offices would remain open, Applin-Jones said; some appointments may be shifted from in-person to virtual, while some elective surgeries and procedures may need to be rescheduled.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

She’s in the one and only elective class she has all year, because she’s an overachiever.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

• electoral