elective

[ ih-lek-tiv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc.
2. chosen by election, as an official.
3. bestowed by or derived from election, as an office.
4. having the power or right of electing to office, as a body of persons.
5. open to choice; optional; not required:

   an elective subject in college; elective surgery.

   Synonyms: discretionary, voluntary

   Antonyms: necessary, obligatory

6. Chemistry. selecting for combination or action; tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others:

   elective attraction.

noun

1. an optional study; a course that a student may select from among alternatives.

elective

/ ɪˈlɛktɪv; ˌiːlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or based on selection by vote

   elective procedure

2. selected by vote

   an elective official

3. having the power to elect
4. open to choice; optional

   an elective course of study

noun

1. an optional course or hospital placement undertaken by a medical student

Derived Forms

• electivity, noun
• eˈlectively, adverb

Other Words From

• e·lective·ly adverb
• e·lective·ness noun
• none·lective adjective noun
• none·lective·ly adverb
• none·lective·ness noun
• pree·lective adjective
• une·lective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elective¹

1520–30; < Medieval Latin ēlēctīvus, equivalent to Latin ēlēct ( us ) ( elect ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

An Education Authority Northern Ireland spokesperson said: “Many factors may contribute to a parent’s decision to electively home educate their child.”

From BBC

Hoover and Trump became president after winning their first campaigns for elective office, and both entered the White House as wealthy men.

From Los Angeles Times

Because it’s an elective procedure, it usually costs thousands of dollars per session out of pocket.

From Salon

"Benign gives the perception that it is not urgent, so when it comes to elective planned lists, compared to other surgical specialties, gynaecology often got de-prioritised," she added.

From BBC

"It's important to deal with this condition because we know that the outcome is so different between emergency surgery and elective planned surgery," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• electoral