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Optional vs Elective - What's the difference?

optional | elective |

As adjectives the difference between optional and elective

is that optional is not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective while elective is of, or pertaining to voting or elections.

As a noun elective is

something that is option or that may be elected, especially a course of tertiary study.

optional

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.
    • On that beach clothing is entirely optional .

    Antonyms

    * obligatory * mandatory * compulsory

    Related terms

    * option * optionality

    elective

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, or pertaining to voting or elections
  • That involves a choice between options; optional or discretionary
    • My insurance wouldn't pay for the operation because it was elective surgery.
  • * Bancroft
    • The independent use of their elective franchise.
  • * Dryden
    • Kings of Rome were at first elective

    Related terms

    * elect * election

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that is option or that may be elected, especially a course of tertiary study.