select

[ si-lekt ]
See synonyms for: selectselectedselecting on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. careful or fastidious in selecting; discriminating.

  2. carefully or fastidiously chosen; exclusive: a select group of friends.

Origin of select

1
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, se-

synonym study For select

1. See choose.

Other words for select

Other words from select

  • 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use select in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for select

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

  1. limited as to membership or entry: a select gathering

  2. careful in making a choice

Origin of select

1
C16: from Latin sēligere to sort, from sē- apart + legere to choose

Derived forms of select

  • selectly, adverb
  • selectness, noun

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