selectness

A curator demonstrates great selectness when choosing pieces for an exhibition.

Definition

Noun: The quality or state of being selected or chosen; the fact of being carefully chosen or exclusive.

Usage Examples

• (The careful and exclusive nature of the invitation list.)
• (The high quality and careful choice of materials.)
• (Her tendency to choose friends carefully and exclusively.)

Advanced Usage

• "selectness of taste": a refined or discriminating preference.
  • His selectness of taste was evident in his choice of art for the gallery. (His careful and exclusive preferences in art.)

Variants and Related Words

• Select (adj): chosen as the best or most suitable.
  • Only a select group of students were invited to the advanced class. (A carefully chosen group.)
• Selective (adj): tending to choose carefully; involving selection.
  • She is very selective about the books she reads. (She chooses carefully.)
• Selection (n): the act of choosing; a thing chosen.
  • The selection of wines was impressive. (The range of chosen wines.)

Synonyms

• Exclusivity: the quality of being limited to a select group.
• Discrimination: the ability to judge what is of high quality.
• Choosiness: the tendency to be careful in making choices (informal).

Related Idioms

• "the cream of the crop": the best of a particular group.
  • This university accepts only the cream of the crop, reflecting its selectness. (Only the most excellent students are chosen.)