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

The Johnson Amendment — named after sponsor Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a Democratic senator from Texas at the time — states that all nonprofit organizations are “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office,” according to the Internal Revenue Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Elective home education rose sharply during the pandemic and official figures will be released in December.

From BBC

The demand had been based on modelling the spread of the virus, along with the need to deal with other pressures that coming winter and resume more planned, or elective, surgery and other treatments for non-Covid patients.

From BBC

Trump’s Senate trial would end in acquittal, as most Republicans – including some outspoken critics like minority leader Mitch McConnell – voted against a conviction that could have led to the former president being banned from future elective office.

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

Related Words

• electoral