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electively

electively

6.7
By being chosen in a vote
  • adverb
  • /ɪˈlɛktɪvli/
translation icon : electivamente
  • In some organizations, leaders are chosen electively rather than by seniority.

Examples

  • The president was electively appointed by the board after a formal vote.

  • The council members serve electively, representing the interests of their constituents.

  • The council members were elected electively.

  • The election was conducted electively last month.

  • The committee was formed electively, allowing members to vote for their preferred candidates.

  • At the university, the student representatives are chosen electively by the student body each year.

  • In this democratic system, officials are selected electively through regular elections.

Synonyms

electorally
vselectively
4 6.3

In a way that relates to elections or voting

is specifically about being chosen by means of a vote

Surface Forms

electively positive

Morphology

electively = elective (semi-transparent) = elect + ive + ly

Formed regularly from 'elective' + '-ly', but the specific sense 'by means of an election' is less common and may be confused with the 'optional' meaning.

Etymology

Electively comes from the Latin root eligere, which means 'to choose'. It is the same root as elect and election, so when someone is chosen by a vote they are chosen 'electively'.