exclusively

UK: /ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/

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

ex•clu•sive /ɪkˈsklusɪv, -zɪv/   adj. 

1. not fitting with another; unable to be used or held at the same time as;
   incompatible:
   mutually exclusive plans of action.
2. [~ + of] omitting from consideration or account;
   excluding:
   It was a profit of ten percent, exclusive of taxes.
3. limited to that which is designated:
   exclusive attention to business.
4. [before a noun] shutting out all others from a part or share:
   The movie company had the exclusive right to film the novel.
5. expensive or fashionable:
   an exclusive shop downtown.
6. not allowing outsiders to be admitted to membership, association, friendship, etc.:
   an exclusive circle of friends.

n. [countable]

7. Journalism a news story obtained by a newspaper along with the right to use it first.

ex•clu•sive•ly, adv. 
ex•clu•sive•ness, ex•clu•siv•i•ty /ˌɛkskluˈsɪvɪti/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•clu•sive  (ik sklo̅o̅′siv, -ziv), adj. 

1. not admitting of something else; incompatible:
   mutually exclusive plans of action.
2. omitting from consideration or account (often fol. by of ):
   a profit of ten percent, exclusive of taxes.
3. limited to the object or objects designated:
   exclusive attention to business.
4. shutting out all others from a part or share:
   an exclusive right to film the novel.
5. fashionable;
   stylish:
   to patronize only the most exclusive designers.
6. charging comparatively high prices;
   expensive:
   exclusive shops.
7. noting that in which no others have a share:
   exclusive information.
8. single or sole:
   the exclusive means of communication between two places.
9. disposed to resist the admission of outsiders to association, intimacy, etc.:
   an exclusive circle of intimate friends.
10. admitting only members of a socially restricted or very carefully selected group:
    an exclusive club.
11. excluding or tending to exclude, as from use or possession:
    exclusive laws.
12. Grammar (of the first person plural) excluding the person or persons spoken to, as we in We'll see you later. Cf. inclusive (def. 4).

n. 

13. Journalism a piece of news, or the reporting of a piece of news, obtained by a newspaper or other news organization, along with the privilege of using it first.
14. an exclusive right or privilege:
    to have an exclusive on providing fuel oil to the area.

• Medieval Latin exclūsīvus. See exclusion, -ive
• 1400–50; 1900–05 for def. 13; late Middle English (adjective, adjectival)

ex•clu′sive•ly, adv. 
ex•clu′sive•ness, ex•clu•siv•i•ty: (eks′klo̅o̅ siv′i tē), n.  Synonyms

• 9. select, narrow, clannish, snobbish, restrictive, cliquish, illiberal.

Antonyms

• 2. inclusive.