26984 words

pick

24 definitions • 43 examples
1
to take some things and leave others:

Examples:

Pick a card from the pack.
be picked for One of my sisters has been picked for the Olympic team.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] She was picked to play for the team.
The committee will pick the successful candidate from a short list of four.
pick someone out The police asked him if he could pick out the killer from a series of photos.
pick something out of a hat The fairest way to decide the winner is to pick a name out of a hat (= without looking or choosing).
be picked at random The winning lottery numbers will be picked at random (= without choosing).
pick your way They picked their way (= carefully chose a route) down the broken steps.
pick a winner He's brilliant at picking winners (= choosing what will be successful).
2
to take some things but not others:

Examples:

The richest universities can pick and choose which students they take.
3
to remove separate things or small pieces from something, especially with the fingers:

Examples:

pick something off something I picked a piece of fluff off my shiny black suit.
The doctor used a probe to pick the wax out of my ear.
pick at The child continued picking at a sore on his leg (= trying to remove parts of it with his fingers).
pick your nose He kept picking his nose (= removing mucus from it with his finger).
4
When you pick flowers or fruit, you take them off a plant or tree:

Examples:

They were picking strawberries for twelve hours a day.
I picked some roses this morning.
pick something from something Machines pick the fruit from the trees.
pick something off something We picked some elderberries off a branch.
5
to remove meat from the bones of a bird or animal :

Examples:

In the kitchen Maya was laboriously picking chickens.
I store the meat, and throw the picked carcass, skin, etc. into the pot with water and some vegetables.
[ + obj + adj ] The carcass had been picked clean (= all the flesh had been removed) by other animals and birds.
6
When you pick a string on a guitar or similar instrument, you pull it quickly and release it suddenly with your fingers to produce a note.
7

Examples:

You can have first pick of the desserts.
8
a thing or person chosen, especially a player chosen to play for a sports team:

Examples:

He was expected to be one of the top 10 picks in the upcoming draft.
9
to have a large choice available:

Examples:

have your pick of something The plane was fairly empty so we had our pick of seats.
10
to choose the one(s) you want from the different types available:

Examples:

The shirts come in five different colours - just take your pick.
11
a

Examples:

13
a small, thin piece of plastic, metal, etc. that is held between the fingers and thumb and is used for playing instruments such as the guitar
14
in American football, an interception (= an occasion when a player catches the ball as it is being passed between two players of the opposing team):

Examples:

The quarterback threw a pick in the fourth quarter.
The strong safety made a pick and returned it for a touchdown.
15
in basketball, a move in which a player positions themselves between a player from their team who has the ball and a defending player from the opposing team:

Examples:

You've got to be moving without the ball, making back cuts, and setting picks.
The best players are masters at utilizing picks to create space for open shots.
16
to take some things and leave others:

Examples:

She’s been picked for the Olympic team.
We finally picked February 14 as the date for our wedding.
17
to remove or move something with your fingers or hands:

Examples:

I picked a piece of lint off my suit.
18
a thin piece of plastic or metal used to pull at the strings of a guitar
19
a pickax, or a sharp, pointed tool:

Examples:

They worked with a pick and shovel.
20
a choice, or something that is chosen:

Examples:

[ U ] Mick gets first pick of where to sit.
[ C ] Here are my picks for the ten best restaurants.
21
to choose items that have been ordered by a customer:

Examples:

He picked goods into pallets for the delivery.
Your groceries will be carefully picked, packed, and delivered to your door.
22
to choose particular shares in which to invest:

Examples:

If you pick stocks thoughtfully and hold them patiently, your gains should be considerable.
23
to remove fruit, cotton, etc. from a tree or plant when it is ready:

Examples:

Immigrants do much of the menial labor in town, picking fruit, cleaning hotel rooms, and sweeping the sidewalk.
24
particular shares that you choose to invest in:

Examples:

His stock picks rose 112% last year. What's his secret?

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