elective
gb/ɪlˈɛktɪv/ us/ɪlˈɛktɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
optional; chosen, not required
You can choose it, but you don’t have to.
Usage pattern:
elective [class/course/subject/module]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse elective with electric.
Synonyms
optional (Most common everyday synonym.)
|
noncompulsory (More formal and less common.)
Antonyms
required (Must be taken or done.)
|
compulsory (Required by rules or law.)
Collocations
elective course
|elective class
|elective subject
|elective module
|elective requirement
|elective unit
|elective credits
|an elective option
Themes
education
|daily_life
Examples
- Students must take math, but art is elective.
- The program offers several elective workshops in the spring.
- I chose an elective language class to improve my resume.
Learner examples
- History is elective at my school.
- I picked an elective class.
Noun
B2
entity
2
an optional class or subject
A class you can choose to take.
Usage pattern:
take/choose an elective
Common mistake:
As a noun, elective usually means a class; it does not mean ‘election’ itself.
Synonyms
optional course (Clearer but longer; same meaning.)
Antonyms
required course (A course that must be taken.)
|
core class (Part of the main required program.)
Collocations
take an elective
|choose an elective
|an elective in photography
|a science elective
|a humanities elective
|popular electives
|offer electives
Themes
education
Examples
- I’m taking an elective in digital marketing this semester.
- The school added new electives to attract more students.
- As an elective, you can choose music, drama, or coding.
Learner examples
- My elective is cooking.
- She chose an elective.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
chosen by voting in an election
Chosen by voters.
Usage pattern:
elective [office/position/body]
Common mistake:
Elective (chosen by election) is different from elected (already chosen).
Synonyms
elected (Describes the person after they have been chosen.)
Antonyms
appointed (Chosen by someone in authority, not by voters.)
|
hereditary (Passed through family lineage, not chosen by election.)
Collocations
elective office
|elective position
|elective post
|elective body
|elective system
|elective representative
Themes
government
|politics
Examples
- The mayor’s job is an elective office.
- In some organizations, board members hold elective positions.
- They argued that the role should be elective, not appointed.
Learner examples
- It is an elective office.
- The leader is elective, not appointed.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
planned; not an emergency (medical)
Planned medical care that is not urgent.
Usage pattern:
elective [surgery/procedure/treatment]
Common mistake:
Elective does not necessarily mean ‘unnecessary’; it often means ‘not urgent’.
Synonyms
nonurgent (Highlights lack of urgency.)
|
scheduled (Emphasizes that it is planned for a date.)
Antonyms
emergency (Needed immediately in a critical situation.)
|
urgent (Needs quick attention.)
Collocations
elective surgery
|elective procedure
|elective operation
|elective treatment
|elective admission
|cancel elective procedures
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The hospital postponed elective procedures during the outbreak.
- Her doctor recommended elective surgery later in the year.
- Elective treatments are typically scheduled weeks in advance.
Learner examples
- My surgery was elective.
- Elective procedures can be scheduled.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elective
IPA
GB/ɪlˈɛktɪv/
US/ɪlˈɛktɪv/
Syllables & stress
elect - ive (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ive)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elective
Noun
- Base: elective
- Plural: electives
Word family
Forms
electives
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
non-elective
adjective
unelected
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
elective course
1/ɪlˈɛktɪv kˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
optional class at school
A class you can choose.
Examples
- I chose an elective course in graphic design.
- Elective courses let you explore different interests.
- She filled her schedule with elective courses.
elective credits
1/ɪlˈɛktɪv kɹˈɛdɪts/
fixed phrase
credits from optional classes
Study points from classes you choose.
Examples
- You need twelve elective credits to graduate.
- She earned elective credits by taking summer classes.
- The program allows elective credits from other departments.
elective office
1/ɪlˈɛktɪv ˈɔfɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
position filled by election
A job you get by voting.
Examples
- She decided to run for elective office in her city.
- Ethics rules apply to many people who hold elective office.
- He served in elective office for two terms.
elective surgery
1/ɪlˈɛktɪv sˈɚd͡ʒɚi/
fixed phrase
technical
planned non-emergency surgery
A planned operation that is not urgent.
Examples
- He decided to postpone elective surgery until after the summer.
- Many hospitals reduced elective surgery to free up beds.
- Elective surgery is usually arranged weeks or months ahead.