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Synonyms

picked

1 American  
[pikt] / pɪkt /

adjective

  1. specially chosen or selected, usually for special skill.

    a crew of picked men.

  2. cleared or cleaned by or as if by picking.

    picked fruit.
picked 2 American  
[pik-id, pikt] / ˈpɪk ɪd, pɪkt /

adjective

Chiefly Dialect.

  1. having or coming to a sharp point; peaked; pointed.

Etymology

Origin of picked1

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; pick 1, -ed 2

Origin of picked2

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; pick 2, -ed 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"There was no intention of going anywhere past a few metres, but the wind picked up quite quickly," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

China's economic growth likely picked up in the first three months of the year, according to analysts surveyed by AFP, boosted by exports now impacted by the Middle East war, while domestic demand remains weak.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

He picked up Christopher Lee at the airport once, and — as a big fan of Dracula — he half-believed he saw the English actor transforming into a vampire while they drove to the club.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She also picked up a gnome to donate to charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

As I picked up the ticket, I wondered if we could be friends.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.