Unselective is a nine-letter word that means lacking selectivity or not discriminating. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ʌnsɪˈlɛktɪv/ where the first syllable "un" means "not," and the syllables "se" and "lec" both have a short "e" sound followed by a hard "c" sound. The pronunciation of "tive" at the end of the word is similar to the word "give." Proper spelling and pronunciation of words like unselective are essential for effective communication.
Unselective is an adjective that describes the characteristic of lacking discrimination or being indiscriminate in the selection or choice of something or someone. It refers to a lack of selectivity or the absence of choice based on specific criteria or qualities.
When used to describe a person, it denotes an individual who does not make careful or discerning choices, but rather makes decisions without considering specific factors or being discerning in their judgment. This can apply to various situations, such as when someone shows an unselective attitude towards friends, partners, or even career choices. Such an individual may not have specific preferences or may not consider important factors, like compatibility, when making decisions.
In a broader context, unselective can describe a process or system that lacks criteria or standards when choosing or opting for something. It may imply that no criteria are used for inclusion or exclusion. For example, an unselective job recruitment process may refer to a system that does not consider specific qualifications or skills, resulting in random or inefficient selections.
Overall, the term unselective highlights the absence of selectivity, preference, or discernment in decision-making, whether by individuals or systems.
The word unselective is derived from the combination of two elements: un- and selective.
The prefix un- is a common prefix in English, which means not or opposite of. It is used to negate the meaning of the base word that follows. In this case, un- makes selective negative, resulting in not selective.
The word selective comes from the verb select, which has its origins in Latin. The Latin verb seligere means to choose or to select. Over time, it evolved into the English word select, which means to choose or pick out from a group.
Therefore, when we combine un- (meaning not) with selective (meaning to choose or pick out), we get unselective, meaning not choosing or not exhibiting selectivity.