What does "executive" mean?
A chief officer or administrator, especially one who can make significant decisions on their own authority.
Executive
/ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A chief officer or administrator, especially one who can make significant decisions on their own authority.
- Grammar: executive is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: administrator, admin, administrating, administration.
- Useful contrasts: colonial council, legislative, legislative body.
- Usage evidence: This was an executive decision.
How to use "executive"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "executive" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "executive" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "executive" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "executive" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "executive" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "administrator" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "executive", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A chief officer or administrator, especially one who can make significant decisions on their own authority.
"Such, Mr. Cleveland, is the real character of the government, of which you are the nominal head. Such are, and have been, its lawmakers. Such are, and have been, its judges. Such have been its executives. Such is its present executive. Have you anything to say for any of them?"
- 2 persons who administer the law wordnet
- 3 The branch of government that is responsible for enforcing laws and judicial decisions, and for the day-to-day administration of the state.
"The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies."
- 4 someone who manages a government agency or department wordnet
- 5 A process that coordinates and governs the action of other processes or threads; supervisor.
"1973, ACM Special Interest Group in Operating Systems, Fourth Symposium on Operating System Principles The second phase of the executive development proceeded through two steps as stated in Section 2. First, a failsoft executive was developed providing automatic failure detection and recovery […]"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 a person responsible for the administration of a business wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect.
- 2 Of, pertaining to, or having responsibility for the day-to-day running of an organisation, business, country, etc.
"When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies."
- 3 Exclusive.
"She works in an office with an executive bathroom."
Adjective
- 1 having the function of carrying out plans or orders etc. wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"This was an executive decision."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "executive"?
Common synonyms include: administrator, admin, administrating, administration, administration, administrative.
How do you use "executive" in a sentence?
This was an executive decision.
How do you pronounce "executive"?
Pronounced /ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/.
Etymology
From Middle French executif, from Latin executivus, from Latin exsequi, from ex- ‘out’ + sequi ‘follow’.