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verb B1 Intermediate Common

select

sih-LEHKT

Select (verb) means to choose one or more items from a group of options. Example: “Please select your preferred delivery date from the list.”

verb
1
To choose one or more items from a group of options.
"Please select your preferred delivery date from the list."
"The coach selected five players for the final squad."
adj
1
Chosen for being of especially high quality, or restricted to a small, privileged group.
"Only a select group of guests were invited to the preview."
"The store stocks select imported cheeses."

How to Use Select

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo pick out from a set of options, or (as an adjective) exclusive and carefully chosen.

Common pairings
select an option a select few select from a list

Word Forms

more select comparative, selected past tense, selected plural, select plural, Selects plural, selects singular, select singular, selected singular, selectest singular, selectedst singular, selecteth singular, most select superlative

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Test yourself on “select” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Please _____ your preferred delivery date from the list.

Etymology

From Latin selectus, "chosen out," from se- ("apart") plus legere ("to gather, choose").

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for select

See all rhymes for select →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “select” mean?

The word “select” means to choose one or more items from a group of options. In plain terms, to pick out from a set of options, or (as an adjective) exclusive and carefully chosen.

How do you pronounce “select”?

“Select” is pronounced sih-LEHKT (/sɪˈlɛkt/ in IPA).

How do you use “select” in a sentence?

Here is “select” used in a sentence: “Please select your preferred delivery date from the list.”

What is the opposite of “select”?

The opposite of “select” — its antonyms — is deselect.

What part of speech is “select”?

Depending on how it is used, “select” can be a verb and an adjective.

Where does the word “select” come from?

The word “select” comes from Latin. From Latin selectus, "chosen out," from se- ("apart") plus legere ("to gather, choose").

Is “select” a common word?

“Select” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “select” have?

“Select” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to choose one or more items from a group of options.

What is the difference between select and choose?

Both mean to pick from options, and they often overlap. Choose is the everyday, general word and can involve feelings or preference. Select is slightly more formal and suggests careful, deliberate picking based on suitability, which is why it is common in technical, official, and shopping contexts.

Is 'select' a formal word?

It is somewhat more formal and precise than 'choose' or 'pick.' Select implies a considered decision, often from a defined set of options, and appears frequently in official, technical, and commercial language, such as 'select an option' or 'a select committee.' In casual speech, most people simply say 'pick.'

What is an example of 'select' as a verb?

For instance, 'Please select your preferred delivery date' instructs someone to choose one option from several. Other examples include selecting players for a team, selecting a file on a computer, or selecting the finest ingredients. Each involves picking specific items deliberately from a wider group.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial