select

American  

[si-lekt] / sɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

selects, present (3rd person singular) selected, past participle, past selecting present participle

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

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verb (used without object)

selects, present (3rd person singular) selected, past participle, past selecting present participle

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 British  

/ sɪˈlɛkt /

verb

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

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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

Synonym Usage

See choose.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have selected
  perfect
• has selected
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been selecting
  perfect progressive
• has been selecting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am selecting
  progressive 1st person singular
• is selecting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• selects
  singular 3rd person
• are selecting
  progressive
• selecting
  participle

Past

• had selected
  perfect
• were selecting
  progressive plural
• had been selecting
  perfect progressive
• was selecting
  progressive singular
• selected
  simple
• selected
  participle

Future

• will select
  simple
• will have selected
  perfect
• will be selecting
  progressive
• will have been selecting
  perfect progressive

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; cf. lection ( def. ), se-

Explanation

To select something means to choose it from among others. If you select the most expensive phone, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be happy with what you get. You can use select as an adjective as well as a verb. It means "specially chosen" or "of superior quality." For instance, you might be one of the select few who know how to really appreciate a game of Tetris, or you might want to choose a wine from a select list of Spanish reds. All of this assumes that if you select one thing, you feel that it's better than all the other choices.

Example Sentences

That select group was expanded in early June to around 200 organizations in more than 15 countries and is expected to grow further.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

As Maine voters of both parties select their nominees this week, candidates across the political spectrum are demonstrating just how deeply ranked choice voting has become woven into the state’s politics.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Many gamers become soldiers or traders, but a select few find themselves in leadership positions - commanding thousands of gamers and having massive influence over the virtual world.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Banks share their projections in the days leading up to an IPO with select investors as the offering is being pitched.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Rather than encouraging me to brand myself to appeal to sponsors, her goal was to select prospective sponsorships that would be personally meaningful to me.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

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