# selectively

/səˈɫɛktɪvɫi/ (US) · /sɪlˈɛktɪvli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/selectively
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

choosing only specific things or people from a group instead of taking everything. You do this when you want to be careful about what you pick.

For teachers: in a manner that involves choosing only particular items or people from a larger group. Often implies the use of specific criteria to exclude unwanted elements.

## Examples

- The company is hiring selectively this year.
- The editor selectively removed several paragraphs to make the article more concise and readable.
- By selectively breeding plants with the highest yields, early farmers were able to domesticate wild grasses into the high-calorie cereal crops we rely on today.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows the verb it modifies or sits at the end of the clause.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.