handpick

[ hand-pik ]

verb (used with object)

1. to pick by hand.
2. to select personally and with care:

   The boss handpicked his assistants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of handpick¹

First recorded in 1825–35; hand + pick ¹

Example Sentences

There’s an undeniable charm in seeing Parker, alongside chef Dana Rodriguez — brought on to rescue Casa Bonita from its reputation of freezer-burned enchiladas — travel to Oaxaca to handpick décor or reimagine the restaurant’s animatronics.

From Salon

Without an absolute majority, the A.N.C. can no longer handpick the country’s president, and President Cyril Ramaphosa may not have a second term.

From New York Times

He allowed Trump to handpick lousy, unelectable candidates, and Scott himself complicated Republican candidates’ messaging by freelancing his own policy blueprint that could have allowed Medicare and Social Security to lapse.

From Slate

The previous election in 2016 was widely dismissed as neither free nor fair, and the opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has accused the president of trying to handpick who will stand against him in this election.

From BBC

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel will officially be vacating her post on March 8, paving the way for Donald Trump to handpick a new leader.

From Salon

Related Words

• pick