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

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

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

Past

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

Select a VPN that offers a verified no-logs policy, strong encryption and features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

After a blistering run last year, the Select Stoxx Europe Aerospace & Defense exchange-traded fund has counterintuitively fallen 15% since the Iran war started three months ago.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

The Select Committee said its investigation reviewed due diligence materials, risk assessments, third-party reports and internal approvals that call into question CATL’s statements about its military ties and forced labor record.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Select committee reports on the changes are expected later this year.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Select which book to hunt by title, location, or random selection—it’s up to you!

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Related Words

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