Synonyms

select

American

[si-lekt] / sɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to choose in preference to another or others; pick out.

verb (used without object)

to make a choice; pick.

adjective

chosen in preference to another or others; selected.
of special value or excellence; choice.
careful or fastidious in selecting; discriminating.
carefully or fastidiously chosen; exclusive.

a select group of friends.

select British

/ sɪˈlɛkt /

verb

to choose (someone or something) in preference to another or others

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

Also: selected. chosen in preference to another or others
of particular quality or excellence
limited as to membership or entry

a select gathering
careful in making a choice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See choose.

Other Word Forms

nonselected adjective
reselect verb (used with object)
selectability noun
selectable adjective
selectly adverb
selectness noun
selector noun
unselect adjective
unselected adjective
well-selected adjective

Etymology

Origin of select

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin sēlēctus (past participle of sēligere “to gather apart”), equivalent to sē- “apart” + leg(ere) “to gather, choose” + -tus past participle suffix; lection ( def. ), se-

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.

The SNP leader replied that the candidates the party had selected "will go forward for election".

From BBC

He accused the party of selecting individuals "with little or no connection to the communities they seek to represent".

From BBC

By placing thin metal layers on both sides of the polymer, the researchers created structures known as Fabry-Pérot resonators, which select specific wavelengths of light.

From Science Daily

The company has said it has dozens of commercial agreements but only began offering select enterprise customers a preview last fall with a wider rollout targeted for this year.

From MarketWatch

Wiegman said Parkinson was "speechless" when she was told she was selected but the Dutch manager believes she is "ready".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023