elective
ih-LEHK-tihv
Elective (adjective) means Chosen voluntarily rather than required. Example: “Cosmetic surgery is usually elective, not medically necessary.”
adjective
1
Chosen voluntarily rather than required.
"Cosmetic surgery is usually elective, not medically necessary."
"She took an elective course in photography."
noun
1
An optional course of study, especially at school or university.
"He picked pottery as his elective this semester."
How to use elective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOptional rather than mandatory — often used for school subjects or medical procedures.
Common pairings
elective surgery
take an elective
elective course
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Word forms
- Plural
- electives
- Comparative
- more elective
- Superlative
- most elective
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cosmetic surgery is usually _____, not medically necessary.
Etymology
Formed from elect plus the suffix -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
appointive
Related words
Rhymes for elective
See all rhymes for elective →Frequently asked questions
What does “elective” mean?
The word “elective” means chosen voluntarily rather than required. In plain terms, optional rather than mandatory — often used for school subjects or medical procedures.
How do you pronounce “elective”?
“Elective” is pronounced ih-LEHK-tihv (/ɪˈlɛktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “elective” in a sentence?
Here is “elective” used in a sentence: “Cosmetic surgery is usually elective, not medically necessary.”
What part of speech is “elective”?
Depending on how it is used, “elective” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “elective” a common word?
“Elective” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “elective” have?
“Elective” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: chosen voluntarily rather than required.
