What does electively mean?
"Electively" is an adverb meaning in a way that involves choice rather than obligation. When something is done electively, it is undertaken because someone has deliberately selected it, not because rules or circumstances force it. The word appears most frequently in two settings. First, in education and employment, students or employees may meet a requirement electively — that is, through an option they choose themselves rather than through a mandatory path. Second, and very commonly in medicine, "electively" describes procedures that are planned in advance rather than performed as emergencies: an elective surgery is scheduled when the patient and care team judge the timing to be right. The word derives from Latin roots relating to choosing (eligere, "to pick out") and shares its origin with "elect," "election," and "elective." Its connotations are neutral to positive, suggesting autonomy and considered decision-making. Though precise, "electively" has a formal tone, so in casual speech people tend to say "by choice" instead.
By choice or selection rather than by necessity or compulsion.
"Applicants may satisfy the language requirement electively, through any approved course of their choosing."
Common in academic and administrative contexts.
(Medicine) In a planned, non-urgent manner; at a time chosen in advance rather than in response to an emergency.
"The gallbladder was removed electively several weeks after her initial recovery."
Standard term in clinical documentation, often paired with words like 'scheduled' or 'admitted.'
The same word that describes how you choose your courses in college also tells surgeons which operations can safely wait — 'electively' lives at the crossroads of freedom and planning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of electively
"Electively" is formed from the adjective "elective" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly." "Elective" comes from the Latin "electivus," derived from "eligere" ("to pick out, choose"), from "e-" (out) and "legere" (to gather or select). The same Latin verb gave English "elect," "election," and "eligible," making these close cognates of "electively." The adverb arose in English alongside its adjective, with established use by roughly the 17th century.
Related word forms
How electively is actually used
The word carries a formal register and appears most often in academic regulations, insurance documents, and especially medical writing, where 'elective' procedures are contrasted with emergency ones. Outside those contexts it can sound stiff; everyday speakers more often say 'by choice' or 'optionally.'
Easily confused with electively
'Elusively' means in a manner that is hard to grasp or define, while 'electively' means by free choice or selection.
'Eloquently' describes fluent, persuasive expression, whereas 'electively' refers to doing something by choice or on a non-urgent basis.