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

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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
The distinction gives Antares a more selective approach to vertical integration. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 This matters because access is becoming more limited and selective. — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 To reassert discipline, the Kremlin not only ramped up its use of selective repression but often drew on anti-spying legislation to do so. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Balancing antibiotics’ pros and cons Scientists now know that it’s not shortened courses of antibiotics that can promote antimicrobial resistance, but that antibiotic exposure itself creates selective pressure for resistant bacteria to emerge. — Amy J. Mathers, The Conversation, 28 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

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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 2 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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