selective

Choosing only things or people that meet high or particular standards.

• He is selective about his food.
• The university has become highly selective.
• We were selective in choosing photographs for the book.

How to use it: selective about something (She is selective about the jobs she applies for.); selective in doing something (The company is selective in choosing suppliers.)

Similar words: choosy, particular, discriminating, picky

Opposites: indiscriminate

Common phrases: selective about something, highly selective, selective buyer

Involving choosing particular people or things from a larger group.

• The school uses selective admission.
• Selective breeding has produced dogs of many sizes.
• The gardeners carried out selective removal of damaged trees.

Common phrases: selective breeding, selective process, selective admission, selective removal

Having the power or ability to choose people or things.

• The committee has selective authority over new members.
• The agency exercises selective power when appointing officers.
• Selective service determines who may be called for military duty.

Common phrases: selective power, selective authority, selective service