exclusive
B2Formal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
restricted or limited to a particular person, group, or category; excluding others; not shared.
Also refers to high-end, prestigious products or content that is only available through a specific source or for a high price.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, it primarily describes things that are not shared or are reserved for specific people. As a noun, it often refers to a news story published by only one media outlet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. In UK business contexts, 'exclusive' can slightly more often refer to a sole supplier/distributor arrangement.
Connotations
Similar high-end/expensive prestige connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
exclusive to/of [something/someone]exclusive with [something]exclusive on [a topic (for interviews/news)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mutually exclusive: (of two or more things) unable to exist or be true at the same time.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to sole distribution rights or non-shared products/services. E.g., 'We have an exclusive contract with the supplier.'
Academic
Used in logic/philosophy (mutually exclusive) or to describe limited/narrow fields of study.
Everyday
Describes clubs, shops, products, or groups seen as high-status or not for everyone.
Technical
In computing/electronics: a type of lock or operation that blocks other processes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We will not be exclusively the programme for another channel.
- The contract exclusives us from working with competitors.
American English
- The company wants to exclusive the licensing rights.
- The new policy would exclusive certain user groups.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This offer is exclusive to our members.
- They have an exclusive club.
- The newspaper published an exclusive interview with the mayor.
- The hotel has an exclusive beach for its guests.
- The two theories are not mutually exclusive; both could be true.
- They secured exclusive distribution rights for the region.
- Her research focuses exclusively on early medieval palaeography.
- The magazine's exclusive on the scandal caused a political uproar.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an EXCLUSIVE club: it EXCLUDES most people (both words start with 'exc').
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/ECONOMIC STATUS IS A CONTAINER (only a few are 'in'). KNOWLEDGE/ACCESS IS A COMMODITY (available only to the few who can pay).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'эксклюзивный' in all contexts. English 'exclusive' does not *always* imply high quality; it can simply mean 'not shared' (e.g., 'exclusive rights' are not necessarily high-quality rights). Avoid overusing 'exclusive' as a direct translation for 'уникальный' (unique).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'exclusive' to mean 'very good' rather than 'limited/restricted'. Incorrect preposition: '*exclusive for' instead of 'exclusive to'. Overuse in marketing language, diluting its impact.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'mutually exclusive' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it often implies prestige (exclusive club), it can be neutral (exclusive license) or negative, implying snobbery or unfair exclusion.
They are direct opposites. 'Exclusive' means limiting access to a select group, while 'inclusive' means open to all and aiming to include diverse groups.
Yes. In journalism/media, an 'exclusive' (or 'scoop') is a story reported by only one newspaper, magazine, or broadcaster.
Use 'exclusive to' (This model is exclusive to our store). In journalism, use 'exclusive on' or 'exclusive about' (an exclusive on the election results). 'Exclusive of' means 'not including' (The price is £100, exclusive of tax).