selettivo

Selettivo is an Italian term meaning selective or pertaining to selection. As an adjective, it describes processes, programs, or institutions that choose candidates based on defined criteria. The noun form is uncommon; typical Italian usage prefers selezione for the act of selecting and selezionatore for a person who selects.

Common contexts include education, employment, and public administration. A concorso selettivo is a competitive examination or selection process to admit or hire a limited number of people, often based on tests, interviews, or grades. A programma formativo selettivo may restrict participation to those who meet particular prerequisites. In universities and schools, selective admissions policies aim to admit a subset of applicants rather than all applicants.

Origin and cognates: From Latin selectivus, meaning "chosen," from selectus "chosen," related to the verb eligere "to choose." In other Romance languages, cognates have similar meanings: Spanish selectivo, Portuguese seletivo, French sélectif. The term is primarily used in Italian contexts; English uses "selective," while Italian often uses selettivo in compound terms such as concorso selettivo or processo selettivo.