exclusive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​clu·​sive ik-ˈsklü-siv How to pronounce exclusive (audio)
-ziv
1
a
: excluding or having power to exclude
b
: limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group
2
a
: excluding others from participation
b
: snobbishly aloof
3
a
: accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class)
c
: restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense
4
a
: single, sole
exclusive jurisdiction
b
: whole, undivided
his exclusive attention
exclusiveness noun

exclusive

2 of 2

noun

: something exclusive: such as
a
: a news story at first released to or reported by only one source
b
: an exclusive right (as to sell a particular product in a certain area)

Did you know?

In words such as expel, export, and exclusive, the prefix ex- means "out of, outside". Thus, to exclude means basically to close the door in order to keep someone or something out. When the word appears in an advertisement, it's often making an appeal to snobs. An "exclusive" offer is supposedly made to only a few people; not so many years ago, "exclusive" housing developments excluded those of a certain race or color. If a product is being sold exclusively by one store, you won't be able to find it anywhere else. When a newspaper or news show has an exclusive, it's a story that no one else has yet reported. Exclusive's antonym is inclusive; an inclusive policy, an inclusive church, or an inclusive approach is one that aims to include as many people as possible.

Examples of exclusive in a Sentence

Adjective He belongs to an exclusive club. She attended an exclusive private school. one of the city's most exclusive restaurants They gave their exclusive attention to the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In an exclusive interview, one of the prosecutors cast doubt on a new piece of potential evidence the brothers have presented in court to challenge their convictions. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 In an exclusive interview with the Southern California News Group, Cloobeck, an entrepreneur who has worked across the hospitality industry, including in timeshares, said he is concerned by how unaffordable California has become. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Each week, Maricopa and Pinal county reporter Sasha Hupka reports and curates must-know campaign news, insider exclusives and service-style voter tips from Arizona’s largest and most talented elections team. Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024 Check out the trailer, an IndieWire exclusive, below. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exclusive 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclusive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near exclusive

Cite this Entry

“Exclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclusive. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

exclusive

adjective
ex·​clu·​sive
iks-ˈklü-siv,
-ziv
1
: excluding or trying to exclude others
an exclusive neighborhood
2
: sole entry 4 sense 2a
we have exclusive use of the beach
3
: full entry 1 sense 2c, complete
gave their exclusive attention to the job
exclusively adverb
exclusiveness noun

Legal Definition

exclusive

adjective
ex·​clu·​sive
1
a
: excluding or having power to exclude others
exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveriesU.S. Constitution art. I
b
: being independent from or not shared by others : sole
exclusive control
exclusive use
2
: limiting or limited to possession, ownership, or use by a single individual or group
an exclusive lease

More from Merriam-Webster on exclusive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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