elected
B2Formal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
Chosen for a position (especially a political or official one) through a formal vote.
The state or status of having been formally chosen by a group; more broadly, can mean chosen or selected for any role or honor through a decision-making process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily relates to political office but can be used for any position filled by vote (e.g., club chair, union representative). Implies a democratic or collective decision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. US usage is more prevalent in political contexts due to frequent elections.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with democratic legitimacy and public mandate.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the larger number of elected public offices.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be elected + (as) + position (He was elected as mayor)be elected + to + institution/body (She was elected to Parliament)be elected + on + platform/promise (They were elected on a promise of change)elect + someone + (as) + position (We elected her chairperson)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the newly elected”
- “the powers that be (elected)”
- “the elected few”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May refer to an elected member of a board of directors or a workers' council.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology to discuss governance, representation, and electoral systems.
Everyday
Primarily used in news and discussions about politics, local councils, or club/association positions.
Technical
Used in legal and constitutional contexts regarding the legitimacy of officials.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The constituency elected a new MP last Thursday.
- Members will elect the committee chair at the AGM.
American English
- The district elected a new representative in November.
- The board will elect its officers next week.
adverb
British English
- The position is not electedly held but appointed. (Very rare/unnatural)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The elected officials faced scrutiny from the press.
- She is the elected representative for Bristol West.
American English
- The elected mayor has the power to veto council bills.
- He serves on the elected school board.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mum was elected to the school council.
- They elected a new class captain.
- The mayor was elected by a large majority.
- Who do you think will be elected as the next club president?
- The government is formed by the party of the newly elected prime minister.
- Citizens have the right to elect their representatives in free and fair elections.
- The committee is comprised of both appointed experts and elected members from stakeholder groups.
- Despite being elected on a platform of reform, the administration struggled to pass legislation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a lecture hall where you ELECT to sit in a specific seat. You have been ELECTED to that seat by your own choice. Similarly, a person is elected to a seat of power by the choices (votes) of others.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTION IS A JOURNEY (He was elected to office), ELECTION IS A CONTEST (She won the election), ELECTED OFFICE IS A SEAT (He holds the elected seat for the district).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "избранный" meaning "chosen" in a more general, non-political sense (e.g., избранный путь). "Elected" is specifically "выбранный путем голосования".
- Avoid using "selected" as a direct synonym when a formal vote is involved.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *She was elected the president. Correct: She was elected president. (No article for a unique position)
- Incorrect: *They elected him for mayor. Correct: They elected him mayor / as mayor.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'elected' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Elected' implies selection by a vote of a group (e.g., the public, members). 'Appointed' implies selection by an individual or a small authority (e.g., a prime minister appoints ministers).
It is almost exclusively used for people chosen for roles. You would not say an idea or a place was 'elected'.
The primary noun is 'election'. A person who is elected is an 'electee' (less common) or more simply 'elected official/representative'.
Usually not for unique positions. Correct: 'She was elected president.' Incorrect: '*She was elected the president.' However, you can say 'elected as president' or 'elected to the presidency'.