Exclusive

/ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

adjectivemedium🔥Very CommonQuality
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases5 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Restricted to the person, people, or group specified.

/ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Quality

Limited to a particular person, people, or group

The restaurant offers an exclusive dining experience.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a special pass that only you can use to get into a super cool club, or a secret sale only *you* can see. That's what exclusive means! It's like, 'just for us!'

👶 For kids: Only for certain people or groups, like a secret club where only some kids can play.

More Examples

2

This information is exclusive to members only.

3

The designer's clothing line is exclusive to a few high-end boutiques.

How It's Used

Business

"The company offers exclusive deals to its premium customers."

Social

"The club has an exclusive membership, only admitting those with specific qualifications."

2

Not divided or shared with others; single or sole.

/ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Quality

Not shared; single or sole

The magazine published an exclusive story about the scandal.

💡 Simply: It means you're the *only* one who has something. Like, if you get an exclusive interview, you're the only person reporting it.

👶 For kids: It means that you are the only one who has something, like the only one to have a special toy.

More Examples

2

The company has an exclusive contract with the supplier.

3

She received an exclusive invitation to the party.

How It's Used

Journalism

"The newspaper obtained an exclusive interview with the celebrity."

Law

"The company has the exclusive rights to market the product."

Tip:Imagine you have the 'exclusive rights' – no one else can use it.
3

A news story or item of information that is reported by only one source.

/ɪkˈskluːsɪv/

nounneutralmedium
Event

A news story or item reported by only one source.

The newspaper ran an exclusive on the politician's secret meeting.

💡 Simply: When journalists get an 'exclusive', it's a special story no one else has. Think of it like finding a secret that you can share only with your friends.

👶 For kids: A special story that only one person or newspaper knows about.

More Examples

2

The journalist managed to get an exclusive interview with the reclusive author.

How It's Used

Journalism

"The newspaper scored an exclusive that broke the scandal."

Tip:The 'exclusive' is the special news piece that others don't have.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

exclusive of

Not including something, except for something.

"The price is $100, exclusive of tax."

exclusive right

A legal or formal right to do something, held only by a particular person or group.

"The company has the exclusive right to sell the product."

From Latin *excludere* ('to shut out') formed from *ex-* ('out') + *claudere* ('to close'). The word evolved to indicate something limited to a select few or excluding others.

The term 'exclusive' has been used since the 15th century, initially meaning 'shutting out' or 'excluding'. Its modern sense, highlighting limited access, developed later.

Memory tip

Think of an 'exclusive club' – only certain people can go in.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to shut out"

exclusive rightsexclusive dealexclusive interviewexclusive membershipexclusive of

Common misspellings

exlusiveexclusivexculsive

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written