Exclusive
adjective/noun
Definition
1. Limited to only one person or group.
2. Expensive and only for rich or high-class people.
3. Not shared with others.
4. Not including something.
5. A news story that only one source has.
2. Expensive and only for rich or high-class people.
3. Not shared with others.
4. Not including something.
5. A news story that only one source has.
Context Alive
The rooftop bar had a reputation for being extremely exclusive, with a strict guest list and prices that only the wealthy could afford. Celebrities and business executives mingled under the stars while ordinary tourists stood outside hoping to catch a glimpse. Getting past the velvet rope felt like entering another world entirely.
Meanings
5 meanings 1 Limited to Only One Person or Group (Adjective) — VERY COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about something reserved for specific people only. Imagine a gym in an apartment building that’s for the exclusive use of residents, meaning nobody else from outside can come in and use it. This is exclusive access. You might have exclusive rights to sell a product in your country, or a company could sign an exclusive deal with one supplier. Or picture a parking spot marked for the exclusive use of the building manager. The word suggests something is restricted and protected.
Vivid ExampleThe streaming platform paid millions for exclusive rights to the popular TV series, meaning fans could only watch it there and nowhere else for the next five years.
2 Expensive and Only for Rich or High-Class People (Adjective) — VERY COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about places or things that are fancy and limited to wealthy people. Think about reading a magazine article about an exclusive neighborhood where houses cost millions and celebrities live behind tall gates. This is exclusive as luxurious. You might dream of staying at an exclusive resort, or someone could shop at exclusive boutiques on famous streets. Or picture an exclusive golf club where membership costs more than most people’s annual salary. The word carries a sense of luxury and status.
Vivid ExampleThe wedding reception was held at one of the city’s most exclusive hotels, where a single night’s stay cost more than most people earn in a month and staff outnumbered guests.
3 Not Shared with Others; Only Given to One Source (Adjective) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about information or content given to only one person or organization. Imagine a famous actor giving an exclusive interview to just one magazine, sharing personal details they’ve never told anyone else before. This is exclusive content. You might read an exclusive report that only one newspaper has, or a website could publish exclusive photos from a private event. Or picture a journalist landing an exclusive story that no other reporter could get. The word suggests special, one-of-a-kind access.
Vivid ExampleThe singer gave an exclusive interview to the podcast, revealing details about her difficult childhood that she had never shared publicly before, making it the most downloaded episode ever.
4 Not Including Something (Adjective) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about prices or amounts that don’t include certain things. Think about booking a hotel room and seeing the price is exclusive of breakfast, meaning you’ll have to pay extra if you want to eat in the morning. This is exclusive as not including. You might see a menu price exclusive of service charge, or a rental cost could be exclusive of utilities. Or picture reading that the tour price is exclusive of flights and insurance. The word is the opposite of “inclusive.”
Vivid ExampleThe apartment rent looked affordable at first, but it was exclusive of all utilities, parking, and building fees, which added another three hundred dollars to the monthly cost.
5 A News Story That Only One Source Has (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about a special news report that only one journalist or outlet has obtained. Imagine watching the evening news and hearing the anchor say “we have an exclusive on the mayor’s resignation,” presenting a story no other channel has yet. This is an exclusive as a noun. You might see a newspaper promoting its latest exclusive on the front page, or a TV network could boast about landing an exclusive with a world leader. Or picture a journalist celebrating after getting an exclusive that every other reporter wanted. The word suggests a prized, unique story.
Vivid ExampleThe young journalist’s career took off after she landed an exclusive with the reclusive tech billionaire, a story that made headlines around the world and earned her several awards.
Examples from the Street
“It’s a very exclusive club — you need to know someone to get in.”
It’s a very selective members-only place — you need connections to be admitted
“The newspaper got an exclusive interview with the president.”
The publication obtained the only interview with the leader — no other media had access
“These two options are mutually exclusive — you can’t have both.”
These choices cancel each other out — picking one means you can’t pick the other
Common Patterns
exclusive club/membership/access → limited to certain privileged people
exclusive neighbourhood/area/resort → wealthy, high-status location
exclusive school/university → selective, prestigious educational institution
exclusive brand/label → luxury, high-end product
highly/very exclusive → extremely restricted or elite
exclusive rights → sole legal permission to do something
exclusive interview/story → only one media outlet has access
exclusive deal/contract → agreement with only one party
exclusive use (of) → sole permission to use something
exclusive to (someone/somewhere) → available only at/to a specific place or person
mutually exclusive → two things that cannot both be true or happen together
exclusive of (something) → not including something (formal)
an exclusive → a news story only one outlet has
get/land an exclusive → obtain a sole story or interview
run/publish an exclusive → release a sole story
a world exclusive → a story no media anywhere else has
Collocations
4 collocationsexclusive access
permission granted to only a select few
exclusive club
a group that only certain people can join
mutually exclusive
two things that cannot both be true
exclusive deal
a special offer available to a limited group
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The hotel is so exclusive that you need a personal invitation just to make a reservation
The accommodation is so restricted that you require a direct request from someone connected simply to book a room.
2
They live in an exclusive neighbourhood where houses cost millions
They reside in a wealthy area where properties sell for enormous sums of money.
3
The magazine secured an exclusive interview with the reclusive author
The publication obtained the only conversation with the private writer — no other media had access.
4
The company has exclusive rights to distribute the product in Europe
The business has sole legal permission to sell the item across the continent.
5
This design is exclusive to our flagship store
This style is available only at our main retail location.
6
Working full-time and studying full-time are mutually exclusive — you simply can’t do both properly
Having a complete job and complete coursework at the same time are incompatible — you simply cannot manage both adequately.
7
The newspaper landed an exclusive on the corruption scandal that made headlines worldwide
The publication obtained a sole story about the dishonesty controversy that became news across the globe.
8
Membership to the golf club is extremely exclusive — there’s a ten-year waiting list
Joining the sports facility is highly restricted — people wait a decade for admission.
9
The price is £500 exclusive of tax and delivery charges
The cost is five hundred pounds not including government levies and shipping fees.
10
She signed an exclusive deal with the record label for her next three albums
She agreed to a sole contract with the music company for her upcoming trio of releases.
Learner Examples
★
Some people believe that learning grammar and learning through conversation are mutually exclusive, but in reality the best approach combines both
Certain individuals think that studying structure and studying through dialogue are incompatible, but actually the most effective method integrates the two.
★
Language learning shouldn’t be exclusive — everyone deserves access to quality teaching regardless of their background or income
Acquiring a new tongue shouldn’t be restricted — all people merit good instruction no matter their personal history or earnings.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 items Idioms & Expressionsmutually exclusive — cannot both be true or happen
Working hard and having fun are not mutually exclusive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymsrestricted
limited to certain people
elite
only for the best or richest
premium
high-end and special
private
not open to everyone
Antonymsinclusive
open to everyone
public
available to all
open
without restrictions