selective

American  

[si-lek-tiv] / sɪˈlɛk tɪv /

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.

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selective British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of selective

First recorded in 1615–25; select + -ive

Example Sentences

In the years following the pandemic, the U.S. experienced a labor shortage, giving employees some leverage in negotiations, and allowed them to be selective over jobs they took and maximize perks like working from home.

From MarketWatch

Smith also said carriers are being selective, with the ones that offer the coverage often demanding exclusions, such as for certain types of water damage.

From Los Angeles Times

Kroger executives said earlier this month that people are becoming “more selective” when visiting their stores, buying more on promotion and cutting down on buying general merchandise.

From MarketWatch

The clinic says in promotional materials that it offers “selective” embryos screened for genetic disease.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite its ability to clone itself, Balanophora is extremely selective about its hosts.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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