elective

Definitions

Chosen or selected by choice rather than by necessity or compulsion.

An optional course of study or subject that a student may choose to take.

Relating to or involving the power of choosing or the right to elect.

Examples

Students are required to take at least two elective courses to fulfill their degree requirements.

The surgery was purely elective, so the patient was able to schedule it at a time that was convenient for his work.

Synonyms

optional discretionary voluntary noncompulsory selective choice discretional

Antonyms

mandatory compulsory obligatory required necessary essential compelled