picked
1 Americanadjective
-
specially chosen or selected, usually for special skill.
a crew of picked men.
-
cleared or cleaned by or as if by picking.
picked fruit.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of picked1
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; pick 1, -ed 2
Origin of picked2
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; pick 2, -ed 3
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.
China's economic growth likely picked up in the first three months of the year, according to analysts surveyed by AFP, boosted by exports now impacted by the Middle East war, while domestic demand remains weak.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
The growing pains were worth it, she said, because her story reached audiences who might never have picked up her books.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
West Ham, currently 17th, hold the record for the team relegated with the most points in the 20-team era - in 2002-03 when they picked up 42 points but still went down.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
It was Exeter that picked you up first, wasn't it?
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Along the way, I picked up the Times from a newsboy, then set my basket right down on the sidewalk and opened the paper.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
