picked
1 Americanadjective
-
specially chosen or selected, usually for special skill.
a crew of picked men.
-
cleared or cleaned by or as if by picking.
picked fruit.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of picked1
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at pick 1, -ed 2
Origin of picked2
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at 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.
Rai, 31, picked up the unusual habit as a kid in England, where his hands would get cold in the winter.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
The party has seen rapid growth in recent years but picked up just one seat in Andalusia, bringing its total to 15.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
The property was last sold in August 2021, when it was picked up for $30.7 million.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
Pratt fans dropped off ballots, picked up lawn signs and stopped to pick up coffee drinks from the Hustle N Dough doughnut truck parked out front.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
But when I picked up my tray, I turned to find every single picnic table taken.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
