Dictionary
selective
adjective se·lec·tive \sə-ˈlek-tiv\
: careful to choose only the best people or things
: involving the selection of people or things from a group
Full Definition of SELECTIVE
2
: highly specific in activity or effect <selective pesticides> <selective absorption>
— se·lec·tive·ly adverb
— se·lec·tive·ness noun
— se·lec·tiv·i·ty \sə-ˌlek-ˈti-və-tē, ˌsē-\ noun
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First Known Use of SELECTIVE
1625
Related to SELECTIVE
- Synonyms
- choosy (or choosey), particular, picky
- Antonyms
- nonselective, unselective
Rhymes with SELECTIVE
SELECTIVE Defined for Kids
selective
adjective se·lec·tive \sə-ˈlek-tiv\
Definition of SELECTIVE for Kids
: careful to choose or include only the best or most suitable individuals <a selective college>
Medical Dictionary
selective
adjective se·lec·tive \sə-ˈlek-tiv\
Medical Definition of SELECTIVE
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by selection : selecting or tending to select
2
: highly specific in activity or effect <selective pesticides> <selective permeability of a plasma membrane>
—se·lec·tive·ly adverb
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