selective

[si-lek-tiv]

adjective

1. having the function or power of selecting; making a selection.

2. characterized by selection, especially fastidious selection.

   Synonyms: discerning, particular, discriminating

3. of or relating to selection.

4. Electricity, Radio.,  having good selectivity.

selective

/ sɪˈlɛktɪv /

adjective

1. of or characterized by selection

2. tending to choose carefully or characterized by careful choice

3. electronics occurring at, operating at, or capable of separating out a particular frequency or band of frequencies

Other Word Forms

• selectively adverb
• selectiveness noun
• nonselective adjective
• unselective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of selective¹

First recorded in 1615–25; select + -ive

Example Sentences

Still, researchers say, people waiting longer to get married and being more selective about whom they pair off with can result in more stable marriages, contributing to a reduction in the divorce rate.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“Investors are more selective across the board,” said Jackie Spencer, SVB’s head of relationship management for life science and healthcare banking.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Schottenstein, an Orthodox Jew, was perplexed at the criticism that the campaign smacked of eugenics, the Nazi-embraced theory that selective reproduction can advance the human race.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

So investors need to be selective picking winners.

Read more on Barron's

Many figures at the very top of television - Ant and Dec, Michael McIntyre and Claudia Winkleman - are selective with their choices, notably hosting no more than three or four shows each per year.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• careful 
• choosy 
• discriminatory 
• fussy 
• judicious 
• scrupulous