pick out

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

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]

Example Sentences

The album overall is a mix of what was going on in real time with me and themes the universe picked out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Budget Buddy found cheaper alternatives to an expensive espresso machine, and Color Analysis helped me pick out a new watchband based on my hair, eye and skin color.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Customers are paired with a stylist who then picks out tops, pants, dresses and more and sends them in a box.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Witherspoon, who already runs an influential book club that's picked out hits like Where the Crawdads Sing, adds that she mainly cares about how other writers will receive it.

Read more on BBC

Elsewhere, the celebrities' continued inability to pick out a Traitor was the other big talking point of the night.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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