selective

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

Synonyms of selective

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Examples of selective in a Sentence

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.
While the Giants could be more selective with players such as Ramos and Miller, they weren’t afforded that same luxury with Arraez and Ray, who are both on expiring contracts. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026 Kristi Gole of Global Hotel Alliance says the company’s partnership strategy is intentionally selective. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Breaking the limits of conventional catalysts Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without being consumed, but making one that is both fast and selective is difficult. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026 Experts recommend using a selective broadleaf herbicide for the former. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selective

Word History

First Known Use

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

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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 5 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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