WordGarden.ioselective
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /sɪlˈɛktɪv/
US
- /səˈlɛktɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
careful or limited in choosing, including, or accepting only some things or people
of a school, college, or program, admitting only a relatively small share of applicants
affecting, targeting, or responding to one kind of thing more than others
Beyond the definition
Being selective means choosing carefully instead of accepting everything. A picky eater is selective about food, and a museum curator is selective about which pieces to show. The idea is simple: not just anything will do.
Think of it like building with LEGOs: you may be careful about the colors and shapes you use. Or think of a bouncer at a club deciding who can come in. Selective breeding is another example: people choose which animals to breed in order to get certain traits.
To be selective means making choices based on careful judgment and specific preferences. It's more than just picking something randomly; it implies a deliberate process of filtering options and choosing only those that meet certain standards or criteria.
You might describe someone as "selective in their friendships," meaning they don't easily let people into their inner circle, but rather choose friends based on shared values and compatibility. A company might be "selective about hiring," indicating they have high expectations for candidates.
The word can also refer to a limited range or scope. For example, "a selective memory" suggests someone remembers certain things vividly while forgetting others. In biology, selective pressure refers to factors that favor the survival and reproduction of individuals with specific traits.
Sometimes "selective" carries a slightly negative connotation—implying pickiness or snobbery. However, it can also be positive, suggesting discernment and good taste. A wine connoisseur is selective about which wines they enjoy, and an art collector is selective about their purchases.
So whether you're talking about choosing friends, remembering details, or adapting to your environment, "selective" describes a process of careful choice and focused attention—not just taking what comes along, but actively shaping your experiences through preference and judgment.
Examples
- 1
Clothing choices
She's very selective about the clothes she buys.
- 2
Eating habits
Their son is a selective eater and refuses to try most vegetables.
- Phraseselective eater
someone who only eats a limited range of foods
- 3
School admissions
The school is highly selective, and only a small percentage of applicants get in.
- 4
Online privacy
Be selective with the information you share online.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Convenient memory
He seems to have a selective memory whenever we talk about his mistakes.
- Phraseselective memory
remembering some things but not others, often in a convenient way
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- selective memory
- selective attention
- selective breeding
- highly selective
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- selectiveadjective