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

Banks still face regulatory restrictions when it comes to blockchains, and mainly use private platforms that allow selected users in a closed ecosystem.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

People close to the transaction at the time privately expressed confusion about MGX’s choice of USD1 and sought to understand why the stablecoin had been selected, according to people familiar with the matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Participants then selected the colored and numbered box that matched the main speaker's statement as the background voices gradually grew louder.

Read more on Science Daily

Perhaps with that in mind, the castle last fall added “Art Under the Moonlight” tours, which continue this autumn on select Friday and Saturday nights through Nov. 16.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

James bought the dwelling when he was just 18 years old, shortly after he was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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