exclusive

American  

[ik-skloo-siv, -ziv] / ɪkˈsklu sɪv, -zɪv /

adjective

1. not admitting of something else; incompatible.

   mutually exclusive plans of action.

2. omitting from consideration or account (often followed byof ).

   a profit of ten percent, exclusive of taxes.

   Antonyms:

   inclusive

3. limited to the object or objects designated.

   exclusive attention to business.

4. shutting out all others from a part or share.

   an exclusive right to film the novel.

5. fashionable; stylish.

   to patronize only the most exclusive clothing designers.

6. charging comparatively high prices; expensive.

   exclusive shops.

7. noting that in which no others have a share.

   exclusive information.

8. single or sole.

   the exclusive means of communication between two places.

9. disposed to resist the admission of outsiders to association, intimacy, etc..

   an exclusive circle of intimate friends.

   Synonyms:

   illiberal, cliquish, restrictive, snobbish, clannish, narrow, select

10. admitting only members of a socially restricted or very carefully selected group.

    an exclusive club.

11. excluding or tending to exclude or prohibit, as from use or possession.

    exclusive laws;

    exclusive restrictions on use of the property.

12. Grammar. (of the first person plural) not including the person or persons spoken to, as we in We'll see you later.

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noun

1. Journalism. a piece of news, or the reporting of a piece of news, obtained by a newspaper or other news organization, along with the privilege of using it first.

2. an exclusive right or privilege.

   to have an exclusive on providing fuel oil to the area.

exclusive British  

/ ɪkˈskluːsɪv, ˌɛkskluːˈsɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. excluding all else; rejecting other considerations, possibilities, events, etc

   an exclusive preoccupation with money

2. belonging to a particular individual or group and to no other; not shared

   exclusive rights

   an exclusive story

3. belonging to or catering for a privileged minority, esp a fashionable clique

   an exclusive restaurant

4. limited (to); found only (in)

   this model is exclusive to Harrods

5. single; unique; only

   the exclusive means of transport on the island was the bicycle

6. separate and incompatible

   mutually exclusive principles

7. (immediately postpositive) not including the numbers, dates, letters, etc, mentioned

   1980–84 exclusive

8. except (for); not taking account (of)

   exclusive of bonus payments, you will earn this amount

9. commerce (of a contract, agreement, etc) binding the parties to do business only with each other with respect to a class of goods or services

10. logic (of a disjunction) true if only one rather than both of its component propositions is true Compare inclusive

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noun

1. an exclusive story; a story reported in only one newspaper

Usage

What does exclusive mean? Exclusive is most commonly used to describe things that are limited to certain people. Exclusive can be thought of as an adjective form of the verb exclude, which means to shut out or keep out—the opposite of include. It can be applied in many different contexts, but almost all of them have to do with there being a limit on something, especially on how many people have access to something. Exclusive can also be used as a noun referring to something that is available from only one place, especially a news story that is only being reported by a particular news organization or a product that is only being offered by one store. Example: The highly exclusive event was only for A-list celebrities, but they let Ryan Reynolds in for some reason.

Other Word Forms

• exclusively adverb
• exclusiveness noun
• exclusivity noun
• nonexclusive adjective
• preexclusive adjective
• semiexclusive adjective
• ultraexclusive adjective
• unexclusive adjective

Etymology

Origin of exclusive

First recorded in 1400–50; 1900–05 exclusive for def. 13; (adjective) late Middle English from Medieval Latin exclūsīvus; see exclusion, -ive

Explanation

Exclusive means with limited access. The only way you might get reservations at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Los Angeles is to become friends with the maitre d', or become famous. By its nature, something that is exclusive leaves people out, or excludes them. You would think this was a bad thing, since excluding people is not very nice, but by being exclusive, things like clubs, restaurants, and resorts become all the more desirable. Exclusive can also mean sole or only: The company became the exclusive soda vendor at the new stadium. The local newspaper got an exclusive interview and broke the news.

Example Sentences

Investors will also be listening closely to management commentary after Microsoft and the OpenAI announced on Monday that the two companies no longer have an exclusive partnership.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Microsoft first invested in the company in 2019 and was its exclusive partner in several areas, though its latest agreement relaxed their relationship.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Microsoft and the start-up OpenAI no longer have an exclusive partnership, but the shift may not be all that surprising.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

An earlier agreement entitled Microsoft to a share of OpenAI’s revenue and exclusive intellectual property rights until the AI lab achieved artificial general intelligence.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Just a file attachment—an invitation to one of the most exclusive gatherings in the OASIS: Ogden Morrow’s birthday party.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• absolute
• chic
• exclusionary
• fashionable
• licensed
• limited
• posh
• private
• privileged
• restrictive
• ritzy
• segregated
• sole
• swank
• unique