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. Alsoselected 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

Derived Forms

• seˈlectness, noun
• seˈlectly, adverb

Other Words From

• se·lecta·ble adjective
• se·lecta·bili·ty noun
• se·lectly adverb
• se·lectness noun
• se·lector noun
• nonse·lected adjective
• rese·lect verb (used with object)
• unse·lect adjective
• unse·lected adjective
• well-se·lected 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

All it needs is one more “pipe” to select and transmit the crucial information.

From The Daily Beast

You can even buy containers of their Cereal Milk in select stores.

From The Daily Beast

And, second, we already use sortition to select an important deliberative body, the trial jury.

From The Daily Beast

Until recently, being published was a pleasure afforded only to a select few.

From The Daily Beast

Roark was a staffer on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and focused on NSA oversight.

From The Daily Beast

I do not care very much how you censor or select the reading and talking and thinking of the schoolboy or schoolgirl.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the methods given, the physician should select the one which best meets his needs.

From Project Gutenberg

New proposals regarding telephone charges are expected as soon as the Select Committee has reported.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no necessity for giving a table of all of their tones here; we select the two most useful.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, as Man did not make nor select his power of choice, Man cannot be blamed if that power chooses evil.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• eclectic
• exclusive
• preferred
• privileged
• selected
• selective