selective

S2 W2

BrE /ˈsɛlɪktɪv/ AmE /ˈsɛlɪktɪv/

adjective en → es

1 CHOOSING CAREFULLY [attributive / predicative] B1

choosing only the best or most suitable people, things, etc.

seleccionador, selectivo

  • be selective about something

Collocations selective about food · selective in choosing friends

  • She's very selective about the clothes she wears.

    Ella es muy selectiva con la ropa que lleva.

2 PARTIALLY INCLINED [attributive / predicative] B2

only partly interested in something or only willing to accept certain things

parcial, selectivo

  • be selective about something

Collocations selective in their opinions · selective with information

  • He's been very selective about which parts of the story he tells.

    Ha sido muy parcial con respecto a qué partes de la historia cuenta.

3 DRUG EFFECT [attributive / predicative] C1

affecting only certain organs or parts of the body, not all of them

selectivo en su acción

  • be selective in its action

Collocations a selective painkiller · selective chemotherapy

  • The drug is highly selective in its action.

    El medicamento es muy selectivo en su acción.