executive
/ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/adjective, noun
executive is spelled E-X-E-C-U-T-I-V-E: 9 letters and 4 syllables. It appears 74 times per million words in written English, the 1,427th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, executive means “Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in executive?
| Letters | 9: E-X-E-C-U-T-I-V-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 4 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 74 times per million words; the 1,427th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is executive?
Executive appears 74 times per million words in written English, the 1,427th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce executive?
- UK /ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv/
- UK /ɛɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv/
- US /ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/
Executive has 4 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-executive.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of executive
- more executive comparative
- most executive superlative
- exe.
- exec.
- execu.
- executives plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does executive mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect.
- 2
Of, pertaining to, or having responsibility for the day-to-day running of an organisation, business, country, etc.
executive act
- 3
Exclusive.
She works in an office with an executive bathroom.
noun
- 1
A chief officer or administrator, especially one who can make significant decisions on their own authority.
- 2
The branch of government that is responsible for enforcing laws and judicial decisions, and for the day-to-day administration of the state.
- 3
A committee that manages the day-to-day running of an organisation. An executive committee.
She was on the executive of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers.
- 4
A process that coordinates and governs the action of other processes or threads; supervisor.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you abbreviate executive?
Wiktionary records 4 abbreviations of executive: Exec., exe., exec., execu..
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Executive in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | exécutif , cadre, gestionnaire, directeur, administrateur |
| German | exekutiv , Führungskraft, leitender Angestellter , Exekutive |
| Portuguese | executivo |
| Spanish | ejecutivo |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does executive come from?
From Middle French executif, from Latin executivus, from Latin exsequi, from ex- ‘out’ + sequi ‘follow’.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).