exclusivity

Etymology

The OED takes it as borrowed from French exclusivité, formed on the adjective exclusive with the suffix -ity;^[2] Etymonline derives it within English from the same two parts.^[3] The adjective goes back to Medieval Latin exclūsīvus, from the participial stem of exclūdō (“to shut out, exclude”).^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The quality or state of being exclusive: 1926, in the journal Science of 2 July.^[2][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The OED treats it as equivalent to the older exclusiveness and exclusivism,^[2] which Etymonline dates to 1730 and 1834.^[3] The adjective it is built on had been applied to monopolies and rights since the 1760s and to social circles unwilling to admit outsiders since 1822.^[3] Merriam-Webster records, besides the general sense, a second one, exclusive rights or services.^[4][5]

Timeline

• 1926 – the quality or state of being exclusive.^[2][3][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. The quality or state of being exclusive: The club's exclusivity made membership a status symbol.^[5][4][2]
2. Rights or services that belong to one party alone: The network paid for exclusivity on the match coverage.^[5][4]

Related words

• exclusiveness
• exclusivism
• exclude
• exclusion

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster