English Reference
noun · adjective

executive

n. · adj.
US /ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/ UK /ɛɡzˈɛkjuːtˌɪv/ ex·ec·u·tive UK spelling executive's, executive's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a person who has a high-level job in a company and makes important decisions.

    n.a person with senior managerial responsibility in a business organisation, typically possessing the authority to make significant strategic decisions.

    Simple

    The marketing executive decided to launch the new product line in the spring.

    In context

    The chief executive faced intense questioning from the board regarding the company's declining profit margins in the third quarter.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal Law

    n.the part of a government that is responsible for making sure laws are followed.

    n.the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and the administration of public affairs.

    Simple

    The executive and the legislature often disagree on how to spend the budget.

    In context

    Constitutional scholars debated whether the executive had exceeded its legal authority by issuing the emergency decree without parliamentary approval.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    adj.relating to the job of managing a company or making decisions.

    adj.relating to the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect; specifically concerning high-level management.

    Simple

    She has excellent executive skills and knows how to lead a large team.

    In context

    The candidate demonstrated strong executive functioning, particularly in her ability to prioritise complex tasks under significant time pressure.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.expensive, high-quality, or designed for important people.

    adj.denoting something of high quality, exclusivity, or cost, intended for use by senior professionals.

    Simple

    The company booked an executive suite for the visiting clients.

    In context

    The airline's executive lounge offers a quiet environment and premium amenities for business travellers during long layovers.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    n.a computer program that controls how other programs run.

    n.a system program or process that coordinates and governs the execution of other processes or threads.

    Simple

    The real-time executive ensures that every task finishes before its deadline.

    In context

    The embedded system uses a minimal executive to manage task switching without the overhead of a full operating system.

Usage executive director · executive order · executive orders

Gomez is currently listed as a co-founder on Wonderminds website, below her mother who is now in the chief executive role, following Pierson's departure from the company.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Last week, former Ethiopian Airlines boss Tewolde Gebremariam became Air India's new chief executive.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

From Middle French executif, from Latin executivus, from Latin exsequi, from ex- ‘out’ + sequi ‘follow’.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin exsequi
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated