selective meaning

UK /sɪˈlɛktɪv/ US /səˈlɛktɪv/ 3 syllables

selective (adjective): tending to select; characterized by careful choice.

selective has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

selective as an adjective

  1. tending to select; characterized by careful choice
    • an exceptionally quick and selective reader

    Similar: discriminating

    Related forms: select, selectivity

  2. characterized by very careful or fastidious selection
    • the school was very selective in its admissions

    Similar: exclusive

    Related forms: select, selectivity

How to pronounce selective

selective is pronounced /sɪˈlɛktɪv/ in British English and /səˈlɛktɪv/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Words that rhyme with selective

Scrabble score: 14 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with SE · words ending in VE · 9-letter words

More about selective on Wikipedia.