elective

[ ih-lek-tiv ]
/ ɪˈlɛk tɪv /

adjective

noun

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

Origin of elective

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

SYNONYMS FOR elective

5 voluntary, discretionary.

ANTONYMS FOR elective

5 required, obligatory, necessary.

OTHER WORDS FROM elective

Words nearby elective

election, election cake, election day, election district, electioneer, elective, elective mutism, elector, electoral, electoral college, electoral vote

Example sentences from the Web for electively

  • Her sweet slenderness barred the way about as electively as a mother quail does the road to her young.

    A Texas Ranger |William MacLeod Raine

British Dictionary definitions for electively

elective
/ (ɪˈlɛktɪv) /

adjective

of or based on selection by vote elective procedure
selected by vote an elective official
having the power to elect
open to choice; optional an elective course of study

noun

an optional course or hospital placement undertaken by a medical student

Derived forms of elective

electively, adverb electivity (ˌiːlɛkˈtɪvɪtɪ) or electiveness, noun