adjective / noun
elective
ih-LEK-tiv/ɪˈlektɪv/
Chosen voluntarily rather than required.
Students can take an elective art class alongside their required courses.
Etymology
The underlying idea is choosing or picking something out. Something elective is taken up by choice rather than imposed as a requirement, as with an optional course.
In context
rheumatology was my first elective rotation here at mcg when i was a resident and i ended up taking it another three times because i loved it that much
More examples
- She chooses photography as her only elective this semester.
- The clinic schedules elective surgery several weeks in advance.
- The school offers electives in music, drama, and photography.
Forms
elective · electives
elect verb — To choose or decide upon something.
Similar words
- optional
- Emphasizes that something is permitted but not required.
- voluntary
- Emphasizes acting freely, without pressure or coercion.
- discretionary
- Emphasizes that a person has authority to choose.