What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
selective
Example
She is very selective when it comes to choosing her friends. [selective: adjective]
Example
The company has a selective hiring process to ensure they get the best candidates. [selective: adjective]
discriminating
Example
He is a discriminating wine connoisseur who only drinks the finest wines. [discriminating: adjective]
Example
The chef has a discriminating palate and only uses the freshest ingredients. [discriminating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Selective is more commonly used than discriminating in everyday language. Selective is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discriminating is less common and typically used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between selective and discriminating?
Discriminating is more formal than selective and is typically used in more specialized or professional contexts, such as food, wine, or art criticism.
