exclusive
1 of 2adjective
ex·clu·sive ik-ˈsklü-siv 
-ziv
1
a
: excluding or having power to exclude
b
: limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group
2
a
: excluding others from participation
b
: snobbishly aloof
3
a
: accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class)
b
: stylish, fashionable
c
: restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense
4
a
: single, sole
exclusive jurisdiction
b
: whole, undivided
his exclusive attention
exclusiveness noun
exclusive
2 of 2noun
: something exclusive: such as
a
: a news story at first released to or reported by only one source
b
: an exclusive right (as to sell a particular product in a certain area)
Did you know?
In words such as expel, export, and exclusive, the prefix ex- means "out of, outside". Thus, to exclude means basically to close the door in order to keep someone or something out. When the word appears in an advertisement, it's often making an appeal to snobs. An "exclusive" offer is supposedly made to only a few people; not so many years ago, "exclusive" housing developments excluded those of a certain race or color. If a product is being sold exclusively by one store, you won't be able to find it anywhere else. When a newspaper or news show has an exclusive, it's a story that no one else has yet reported. Exclusive's antonym is inclusive; an inclusive policy, an inclusive church, or an inclusive approach is one that aims to include as many people as possible.
Synonyms
Adjective
- single
- sole
- unshared
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective He belongs to an exclusive club. She attended an exclusive private school. one of the city's most exclusive restaurants They gave their exclusive attention to the job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 The retailer announced Monday a multi-year deal to carry exclusive toys from FAO Schwarz. Brett Molina, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 In exclusive photos shared with PEOPLE, the football pro, 26, enjoys his time on set with Sterling and pregnant wife Brittany Mahomes. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 However, an image of the Target-exclusive CD does offer fans some clues about what the bonus tracks might entail, as two of the three additional songs are specifically identified as remixes. Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2022 Next Pro team play in Irvine next season and have asked for exclusive professional soccer rights to the stadium. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Last night, as VOGUE World took over the Meatpacking District with a fashion spectacle, Vogue Club hosted an exclusive NYFW cocktail party just steps away, paying homage to Vogue's 130th anniversary at the iconic Gansevoort Rooftop. Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2022 The ultra-exclusive club, which will offer just 360 memberships, has been described as a floating Soho House. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2022 Read an exclusive excerpt below; Cheryl Strayed and Roxane Gay are already fans of the writer's debut. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2022 Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2022 Wendy Lee broke another exclusive on the troubles at Palisades Media Group, the Santa Monica agency that placed ads for Netflix, among others, before abruptly closing this summer. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 When all else fails, plan to get up early on release day and head to your nearest Target for your best shot at getting a fall or Halloween exclusive. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 23 Aug. 2022 The new single from the K-Pop superstars arrived alongside the #PinkVenmonChallenge, a Youtube Shorts exclusive. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2022 On Tuesday afternoon, Rich Lowry spoke with Larry Kudlow on an exclusive, NRPLUS members-only conference call. Nr Staff, National Review, 17 Aug. 2022 The last of those is a DraftKings exclusive where players can opt into any sportsbook or casino mission that interests them. Xl Media, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 Yeah, that show that was like a PlayStation exclusive or whatever weirdness was happening back in 2015. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 To this end, then, according to an exclusive from Futbol Total, the Catalans are targetting Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold as a marquee signing in 2023. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
Owning one of the 10,000 Doodles NFT gives its owners, a group that includes Justin Bieber and DJ Steve Aoki, access to products and merchandise, as well as to exclusive events. Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2022 The retailer announced Monday a multi-year deal to carry exclusive toys from FAO Schwarz. Brett Molina, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 In exclusive photos shared with PEOPLE, the football pro, 26, enjoys his time on set with Sterling and pregnant wife Brittany Mahomes. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 However, an image of the Target-exclusive CD does offer fans some clues about what the bonus tracks might entail, as two of the three additional songs are specifically identified as remixes. Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2022 Next Pro team play in Irvine next season and have asked for exclusive professional soccer rights to the stadium. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Last night, as VOGUE World took over the Meatpacking District with a fashion spectacle, Vogue Club hosted an exclusive NYFW cocktail party just steps away, paying homage to Vogue's 130th anniversary at the iconic Gansevoort Rooftop. Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2022 The ultra-exclusive club, which will offer just 360 memberships, has been described as a floating Soho House. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2022 Read an exclusive excerpt below; Cheryl Strayed and Roxane Gay are already fans of the writer's debut. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2022 Noun
Vision Distribution will distribute in Italy and then become a Sky exclusive, while Stage 6 Films/Sony Pictures International Releasing will distribute in the rest of the world. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2022 Wendy Lee broke another exclusive on the troubles at Palisades Media Group, the Santa Monica agency that placed ads for Netflix, among others, before abruptly closing this summer. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 When all else fails, plan to get up early on release day and head to your nearest Target for your best shot at getting a fall or Halloween exclusive. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 23 Aug. 2022 The new single from the K-Pop superstars arrived alongside the #PinkVenmonChallenge, a Youtube Shorts exclusive. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2022 On Tuesday afternoon, Rich Lowry spoke with Larry Kudlow on an exclusive, NRPLUS members-only conference call. Nr Staff, National Review, 17 Aug. 2022 The last of those is a DraftKings exclusive where players can opt into any sportsbook or casino mission that interests them. Xl Media, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 Yeah, that show that was like a PlayStation exclusive or whatever weirdness was happening back in 2015. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 To this end, then, according to an exclusive from Futbol Total, the Catalans are targetting Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold as a marquee signing in 2023. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing exclusive
Kids Definition
exclusive
adjective
ex·clu·sive ik-ˈsklü-siv
-ziv
1
: excluding or trying to exclude others
an exclusive neighborhood
2
: sole entry 4 sense 2
Residents have exclusive use of the beach.
3
: entire, complete
Please give me your exclusive attention.
Legal Definition
exclusive
adjective
ex·clu·sive
1
a
: excluding or having power to exclude others
exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. I b
: being independent from or not shared by others : sole
exclusive control
exclusive use
2
: limiting or limited to possession, ownership, or use by a single individual or group
an exclusive lease
exclusive
adjective
1
as in sole
belonging only to the one person, unit, or group named residents of the apartment complex have exclusive use of the pool Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sole
- proprietary
- personal
- private
- single
- unshared
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonexclusive
- common
- multiple
- cooperative
- public
- joint
- mutual
- communal
- united
- pooled
- shared
- conjoint
2
as in all
not divided or scattered among several areas of interest or concern during interviews she always gives the job applicant her exclusive attention Synonyms & Similar Words
- all
- undivided
- entire
- whole
- concentrated
- focused
- full
- focussed
- comprehensive
- complete
- total
- unadulterated
- integral
- absolute
- perfect
- thorough
- unbroken
- unqualified
- unalloyed
- utter
- lump
- intact
- teetotal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- divided
- scattered
- partial
- incomplete
- diffuse
- fragmentary
- deficient
- halfway
- fragmental
3
as in upscale
appealing to affluent consumers a section of the city where the exclusive boutiques and fashionable restaurants are concentrated Synonyms & Similar Words
- upscale
- elegant
- fashionable
- luxurious
- expensive
- upmarket
- high-end
- deluxe
- posh
- sumptuous
- extravagant
- showy
- opulent
- lavish
- luxuriant
- plush
- ostentatious
- costly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discount
- inexpensive
- downscale
- cheap
- low-end
- down-market
- dime-store
4
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion an exclusive designer gown of the sort that shows up on red carpets Synonyms & Similar Words
- stylish
- fashionable
- happening
- chic
- elegant
- trendy
- fresh
- smart
- cool
- supercool
- sophisticated
- voguish
- modish
- in
- handsome
- hip
- swish
- haute
- a la mode
- swell
- graceful
- posh
- snappy
- au courant
- à la mode
- swank
- sharp
- ritzy
- tasteful
- spiffy
- classy
- funky
- edgy
- saucy
- downtown
- swanky
- sassy
- majestic
- dapper
- kicky
- flossy
- dashing
- natty
- chichi
- refined
- flashy
- dressy
- understated
- haut
- spruce
- rakish
- doggy
- ultrasophisticated
- ultrachic
- doggish
- dandyish
- nobby
- ultracool
- ultrahip
- ultrasmart
- soignée
- soigné
- foppish
- gallant
- ultraposh
- dudish
- stately
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- out
- outmoded
- unfashionable
- tacky
- unattractive
- uncool
- cheesy
- unbecoming
- trashy
- tasteless
- dowdy
- unchic
- unmodish
- sloppy
- styleless
- inelegant
- unstylish
- messy
- graceless
- unkempt
- untidy
- unhandsome
- slovenly
- shabby
- sleazy
- wrinkled
- disheveled
- rumpled
- dishevelled
- frowsy
- frowzy
- mussy