adj
selective
suh-LEHK-tihv
adj
1
Choosing carefully rather than accepting everything or everyone.
"The university is highly selective, admitting only a small fraction of applicants."
"She's very selective about who she lets into her inner circle."
2
Affecting or targeting only certain things rather than all of them.
"The drug works through selective action on specific receptors."
How to Use Selective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareful and choosy about what or who is accepted, or narrowly targeted rather than blanket in effect.
Common pairings
highly selective
selective about
selective breeding
Word Forms
more selective comparative, most selective superlative
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The university is highly _____, admitting only a small fraction of applicants.