inclusive

[in-kloo-siv]

adjective

1. including or encompassing the stated limit or extremes in consideration or account (usually used after the noun).

   from May to August inclusive.

2. including a great deal, or encompassing everything concerned; comprehensive.

   an inclusive art form;

   an inclusive fee.

   Synonyms: all-embracing, general, overall

3. enclosing; embracing.

   an inclusive fence.

4. aiming to include and integrate all people and groups in activities, organizations, political processes, etc., especially those who are disadvantaged, have suffered discrimination, or are living with disabilities.

   inclusive hiring practices;

   inclusive playgrounds.

5. relating to or being language or terminology that does not exclude a particular group of people and that avoids bias, stereotypes, etc..

   the use of singular “they” as an inclusive, gender-neutral pronoun.

6. relating to or being educational practices in which students with physical or mental disabilities are taught in regular classrooms and provided with certain accommodations.

7. Grammar.,  (of the first person plural) including the person or persons spoken to, as we in Shall we dance?

inclusive

/ ɪnˈkluːsɪv /

adjective

1. considered together (with)

   capital inclusive of profit

2. (postpositive) including the limits specified

   Monday to Friday inclusive is five days

3. comprehensive

4. not excluding any particular groups of people

   an inclusive society

5. logic (of a disjunction) true if at least one of its component propositions is true Compare exclusive

Other Word Forms

• inclusively adverb
• inclusiveness noun
• inclusivity noun
• noninclusive adjective
• noninclusively adverb
• quasi-inclusive adjective
• quasi-inclusively adverb
• superinclusive adjective
• superinclusively adverb
• uninclusive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inclusive¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from late Middle English, from Medieval Latin inclūsīvus, equivalent to Latin inclūs(us) + -īvus -ive ( def. ) ; incluse

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. inclusive of, including; also taking into account.

   Europe, inclusive of the British Isles, is negotiating new trade agreements.

Example Sentences

“We should be trying to be inclusive, not exclusive. There are plenty of great bands and entertainment people who could be playing at that show that would be bringing people together and not separating them.”

From Los Angeles Times

The distance may be greater now, since one adventure during his Earth X interlude involved him slaughtering people he now knows shared his inclusive values.

From Salon

God knows, there are enough rotten policies, not to speak of corruption and mendacity, to keep everyone busy, and a mass movement does need to be widely inclusive.

From Salon

These values and beliefs are inherently incompatible with multiracial democracy and a more cosmopolitan, dynamic and inclusive country.

From Salon

"But now I want retailers to match their inclusive imagery with the actual buying experience".

From BBC

Related Words

• broad 
• comprehensive