select

[si-lekt]

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

1. to make a choice; pick.

adjective

1. chosen in preference to another or others; selected.

2. of special value or excellence; choice.

3. careful or fastidious in selecting; discriminating.

4. carefully or fastidiously chosen; exclusive.

   a select group of friends.

select

/ sɪˈlɛkt /

verb

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

adjective

1. Also: selected. chosen in preference to another or others

2. of particular quality or excellence

3. limited as to membership or entry

   a select gathering

4. careful in making a choice

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of select¹

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-

Word History and Origins

Origin of select¹

C16: from Latin sēligere to sort, from sē- apart + legere to choose

Synonym Study

See choose.

Example Sentences

Visitors tap the robot’s screen to select various spaces, and the robot guides them through the building at a customizable walking pace, navigating around obstacles.

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Kopec fully endorsed the idea: “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some bottles that he carefully selected, spread among his friends?’

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Bowman is in the process of selecting new leadership atop the supervision division after its longtime director, Michael Gibson, announced his retirement earlier this year.

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Only about a dozen economists had been selected in the previous 70 years.

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Townsend was restricted to selecting from Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors players for the first of four Tests as the fixture lies outside the international window.

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Related Words

• choose 
• cull 
• decide 
• elect 
• make 
• name 
• pick 
• single out 
• take