inclusive

American  

[in-kloo-siv] / ɪnˈklu sɪv /

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?

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idioms

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

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

inclusive British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of inclusive

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

Explanation

Call something inclusive when it's designed or inclined to include. An exclusive club might let you in, but an inclusive one will ask you to join, no strings attached. Inclusive is an adjective with several meanings: It can be used to describe something that's broad or extensive, such as thorough, inclusive research project. Or it describes a group that's particularly welcoming to all kinds of people. And an inclusive range is one where the limits are included along with what lies in between: a survey of “20-40 year-olds, inclusive” tells us 20 and 40 year-olds were counted, too.

Example Sentences

Paz struck a conciliatory tone, saying he would reshuffle his cabinet to make it more inclusive and set up a body to give the protesters more of a say in government policy.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Admirers praise her simplicity, inclusive politics and fighting spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Capital expenditures grew 45% in the first quarter, inclusive of finance leases, outpacing the rate of revenue growth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

With eight major candidates from both parties participating, CBS moderators billed it as “the largest and most inclusive debate of the election.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Barack and I continued to open the White House up to more people, most especially children, hoping to make its grandeur feel inclusive, mixing some liveliness into the formality and tradition.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• broad
• comprehensive