facultative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Fascinatingly, we found that the obligately agamospermous Balanophora species were all island species -- and we speculate that more Balanophora species may be facultative, or even obligate, agamosperms."

From Science Daily • Dec. 20, 2025

However, there remain many unknowns about parthenogenesis, particularly the form known as facultative parthenogenesis, which is quite rare and only happens in animals that sexually reproduce.

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2023

Note that there is no clear line that differentiates facultative carnivores from omnivores; dogs would be considered facultative carnivores.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

On the issue of facultative reinsurance, whereby it insures bundles of risk in a job lot, Swiss Re said it expected to finalise a policy for the oil and gas sector in 2023.

From Reuters • Mar. 17, 2022

In some cantons the referendum is obligatory, in others it is "facultative," or optional.

From The Governments of Europe by Ogg, Frederic Austin