elektive

Elective, sometimes spelled elektive in some languages, is an adjective meaning chosen or optional. It is used to distinguish activities or decisions that are planned or voluntary from those that are mandatory, urgent, or involuntary. The term derives from roots meaning to choose or to select.

In medicine, an elective procedure is one that is scheduled in advance rather than performed as an emergency. Decisions about elective care weigh the patient’s condition, risks, benefits, and available resources. Elective procedures can usually be postponed if the situation changes, and they may range from routine surgeries to diagnostic tests conducted in a planned setting. While elective, such procedures are not inherently unimportant; they may significantly improve quality of life or prognosis when performed timely.

In education, elective courses are options students can choose in addition to required subjects. Electives let learners explore interests, develop specialized skills, and tailor a program to individual goals. They typically count toward graduation credits but are not part of the core curriculum.

Beyond medicine and education, the term appears in governance to describe offices or positions filled by election rather than appointment, for example an elective office. In historical and policy contexts, “elective” has also appeared in phrases like elective abortion, referring to abortion chosen by the patient, a usage that has evolved with medical and legal developments and remains subject to varying norms and laws.