select

American  

[si-lekt] / sɪˈlɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to choose in preference to another or others; pick out.

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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 British  

/ sɪˈlɛkt /

verb

1. to choose (someone or something) in preference to another or others

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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

Related Words

See choose.

Other Word Forms

• nonselected adjective
• reselect verb (used with object)
• selectability noun
• selectable adjective
• selectly adverb
• selectness noun
• selector noun
• unselect adjective
• unselected adjective
• well-selected adjective

Etymology

Origin of select

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-

Example Sentences

Previously, players have been selected in a draft system.

From BBC

"Prior to selecting this combination of antibiotics, the surgical team did not consult with the hospital's microbiology team for advice."

From BBC

Notably, both tracks - Rosé & Bruno Mars' APT and Huntr/x's Golden - were predominantly in English, with select phrases in Korean.

From BBC

Within one week, Aaru’s bots selected fruit tea, matching the results of Spindrift’s independent, 500-person consumer research, which had taken two months.

From The Wall Street Journal

She must be on their summer select team, which is coached by the varsity coach from the high school.

From Literature

Related Words

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