selective
- 1Careful about choosing, accepting only the things you really want or like.
Like a kid who picks only the red candies out of the whole bag.
She is very selective about which movies she watches.
He's so selective with food that he won't try anything new.
Similardiscriminating, discerning, particular, choosy, exclusive
Oppositeindiscriminate, unselective, inclusive
Note
- 2Having to do with picking or choosing something out.
Like the step where you sort apples and keep only the good ones.
The selective stage of the contest picks the top five entries.
Teachers explained how the selective method chooses the winners.
- 3Having the power or right to choose someone or something.
Grandpa got a letter saying the Selective Service board had chosen him for the army.
If the country ever needs more soldiers, the Selective Service will pick who has to go.
Note
- 4Having to do with how nature lets the best-suited living things survive and pass on their traits.
Like a race where only the fastest runners get to have babies that run fast too.
The selective pressure of cold winters favored animals with thick fur.
Bright feathers can give males a selective edge in finding mates.
Note
- 5Having to do with a way of giving help only to the people who need it most.
Like a food bank that gives boxes only to people who show they need help.
The selective program only helps families with very low incomes.
They prefer a selective plan that reaches just the poorest households.
Similartargeted, means-tested
Oppositeuniversal
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of selective apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.