elective

/əˈlɛkɾɪv/

/ɛˈlɛktɪv/

Other forms: electives; electively

Something that's elective is optional — you can choose to do it, or not. An elective course in school is one you take because you want to rather than to fill a particular requirement, although you still get credit for it.

You can take elective classes in high school or college. In fact, the word elective is sometimes used as a noun, to mean "optional class." Also, if someone has elective surgery, that means he’s getting an optional operation, like a nose job or a face-lift. In either case, nothing is required or compulsory — it's a free choice. The word comes from the Latin electivus, by way of eligere, "pick out or select," which is also the root of election.

Definitions of elective

1. adjective

   not compulsory
   “elective surgery”

   “an elective course of study”

   synonyms:

   optional

   possible but not necessary; left to personal choice
2. noun

   a course that the student can select from among alternatives
   synonyms: elective course

   type of:

   class, course, course of instruction, course of study

   education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
3. adjective

   subject to popular election
   “elective official”

   synonyms: elected

   electoral

   relating to or composed of electors

   nonappointive

   filled by popular election rather than by appointment

   antonyms:

   appointive

   subject to appointment

   nominated, nominative

   appointed by nomination

   non-elective, nonelected, nonelective

   filled by appointment rather than by election