selective

1 of 2

adjective

se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce selective (audio)
Synonyms of selectivenext
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective absorption
selectively adverb
selectiveness noun
selectivity
sə-ˌlek-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce selective (audio)
ˌsē-
noun

selectiveness

2 of 2

noun

se·​lec·​tive·​ness
-tivnə̇s, 
-tēv- also -təv-
plural -es
: the act or process of being selective

Synonyms of selective

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of selective in a Sentence

Adjective The club is selective in choosing members. The college has a highly selective admissions process.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Companies are navigating economic uncertainty, a highly selective capital environment, market volatility, and rapid technological change driven by AI, Ackerman said. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 That’s why the Club is holding roughly 13% cash and remaining selective about putting money to work. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 This inhibits collective action because each country, offered selective relief in some cases, has reason to cut its own deal rather than hold the line with the others. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Owners of large properties and businesses increasingly recognize that visibility can invite selective taxation. — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selective

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of selective was in 1625

Phrases Containing selective

Rhymes for selective

See All Rhymes for selective

Browse Nearby Words

selection value
selective
selective absorption
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

selective

adjective
se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce selective (audio)
: of or relating to selection : selecting or tending to select
selective shoppers

Medical Definition

selective

adjective
se·​lec·​tive sə-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce selective (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select
2
: highly specific in activity or effect
selective pesticides
selective permeability of a plasma membrane
selectively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on selective

Nglish: Translation of selective for Spanish Speakers

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