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

Although software hasn’t been a well-loved area of the market this year, select companies currently offer investors solid growth at cheap prices.

Read more on MarketWatch

According to Transparency International, 54 percent of participants in national delegations either withheld their affiliation or selected a vague category such as "guest" or "other."

Read more on Barron's

Nominations for the Actor Awards are chosen by two nominating committees, one for film and one for television, comprising 2,500 SAG-AFTRA members that are randomly selected each year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When he was 17, Amine was selected to meet Emmanuel Macron when the president came to Marseille in 2021 to discuss projects to improve life in the city.

Read more on BBC

In certain cases where debit cards are rejected, customers may need to select an option at the point of sale to enter their PIN.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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