elective

UK: /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ US: /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ ,(i lek′tiv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•lec•tive /ɪˈlɛktɪv/   adj. 

1. obtained by election:
   elective office.
2. chosen by election:
   elective officials.
3. open to choice;
   optional: elective surgery;
   an elective course in science.

n. [countable]

4. Education a course that is not required:
   Her major is biology, but she has room for two music electives.

See -lec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

e•lec•tive  (i lek′tiv), adj. 

1. pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc.
2. chosen by election, as an official.
3. bestowed by or derived from election, as an office.
4. having the power or right of electing to office, as a body of persons.
5. open to choice;
   optional;
   not required:
   an elective subject in college; elective surgery.
6. Chemistry selecting for combination or action;
   tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others:
   elective attraction.

n. 

7. Education an optional study;
   a course that a student may select from among alternatives.

• Medieval Latin ēlēctīvus, equivalent. to Latin ēlēct(us) (see elect) + -īvus -ive
• 1520–30

e•lec′tive•ly, adv. 
e•lec′tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. voluntary, discretionary.

Antonyms

• 5. required, obligatory, necessary.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

elective / ɪˈlɛktɪv/ adjective

1. of or based on selection by vote: elective procedure
2. selected by vote: an elective official
3. having the power to elect
4. open to choice; optional: an elective course of study

noun

1. an optional course or hospital placement undertaken by a medical student

eˈlectively adverb

electivity / ˌiːlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ/, eˈlectiveness noun