pick out

British  

verb

1. to select for use or special consideration, illustration, etc, as from a group

2. to distinguish (an object from its surroundings), as in painting

   she picked out the woodwork in white

3. to perceive or recognize (a person or thing previously obscured)

   we picked out his face among the crowd

4. to distinguish (sense or meaning) from or as if from a mass of detail or complication

5. to play (a tune) tentatively, by or as if by ear

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pick out Idioms  

1. Choose, select, as in She picked out the best piece of fabric . [Early 1500s]

2. Distinguish, discern from one's surroundings, as in They managed to pick out their mother from the crowd . [Mid-1500s]

3. Identify the notes of a tune and play it on an instrument, as in When she was four she could pick out folk songs on the piano . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Rather than helping, closing the eyes made it harder to pick out faint sounds in noisy settings, while relevant visual input provided a clear advantage.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

But he mustered the strength to look through the family’s large photo album ahead of the U.S. championships and pick out several photos he brought to the competition.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

"The police can pick out bits immediately. The Crown Prosecution Service can pick out bits immediately. The courts, the Judiciary, can pick out bits immediately."

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Gruda was given time and space to pick out Welbeck inside the area and he lashed an exquisite strike past Lammens as the atmosphere turned even more toxic.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

He had to pick out the man from the pictures so that they could find Roza, so that they could save Roza.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Related Words

• accept
• admit
• appoint
• conclude
• designate
• determine
• name
• nominate
• pick
• receive
• resolve
• take
• vote
• vote for