# elective

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪˈlɛktɪv/ · frequency rank #19,071

## Definitions
1. Of, or pertaining to voting or elections; involving a choice between options.
2. Open to choice; freely chosen; (also, usually) unnecessary; minor.
3. Scheduled and nonemergent (regardless of whether necessary or unnecessary and whether minor or serious).

## Etymology
From elect + -ive.

## Easily confused with
- **erectile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elective-vs-erectile)
- **executive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elective-vs-executive)
- **election** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/election-vs-elective)
- **effective** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effective-vs-elective)

## Common misspellings (11)
`eelctive`, `elcetive`, `elecctive`, `elecitve`, `electiev`, `electivve`, `electtive`, `electvie`, `eletcive`, `ellective`, `leective`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/elective