pick
Pick (verb) means to choose one thing from a number of options. Example: “She picked the blue dress for the party.”
How to Use Pick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo choose, gather, pluck, or pry something loose — or a tool/object used for that purpose.
"Pick up" (as a phrasal verb) has its own meanings — to lift, collect, or learn something — distinct from plain "pick."
Word Forms
picked past tense, picks plural, pick plural, picked plural, Picks plural, picks singular, pick singular, picked singular, pickest singular, pickedst singular, picketh singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the blue dress for the party.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "to pick, peck, or prick," related to Dutch pikken and German picken.
Related Words
Rhymes for pick
See all rhymes for pick →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pick” mean?
The word “pick” means to choose one thing from a number of options. In plain terms, to choose, gather, pluck, or pry something loose — or a tool/object used for that purpose.
How do you pronounce “pick”?
“Pick” is pronounced pihk (/pɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “pick” in a sentence?
Here is “pick” used in a sentence: “She picked the blue dress for the party.”
What part of speech is “pick”?
Depending on how it is used, “pick” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “pick” come from?
The word “pick” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning "to pick, peck, or prick," related to Dutch pikken and German picken.
Is “pick” a common word?
“Pick” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “pick” have?
“Pick” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to choose one thing from a number of options.
What is the difference between pick and choose?
Pick and choose are close in meaning, and both involve selecting from options. Pick is more casual and often quicker or more spontaneous, as in "pick a card." Choose can suggest a bit more thought and weighing of alternatives. In most everyday sentences they are interchangeable.
What is an example of pick used in a sentence?
You might say, "Pick a colour for the walls," or "She was picked for the team." In both, one thing is selected from several options, whether a shade of paint or a player from a group. That act of selecting is the core meaning of the verb.
Is pick formal or informal?
As a verb meaning to choose, pick is fairly casual and common in everyday speech. In more formal writing, select or choose often feels more polished. Still, pick is perfectly correct and widely understood, so it fits most conversations and general writing without any problem.