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."
"You can select several photos at once by holding down the key."
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."
"The club offers membership to a select few who pass an interview."
How to use select
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- selects
- Past tense
- selected
- Comparative
- more select
- Superlative
- most select
- Archaic forms
- selectest, selectedst, selecteth
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").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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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