WordGarden.iopick
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪk/
US
- /ˈpɪk/
Meanings
Verb
to choose or select from available options
to remove, pluck, or tease something out with the fingers or a small pointed motion
Noun
the person or thing chosen as the preferred option
a pointed hand tool used for digging, prying, or breaking hard material
a small flat piece used to pluck the strings of a guitar or similar instrument
Beyond the definition
To "pick" something most commonly means to choose it from a group, often with care or preference. You might pick a winning lottery number, pick your favorite flavor of ice cream, or pick a teammate for a game. It also describes the physical act of pulling or removing something from its place, like picking a flower from a garden or picking a ripe apple from a tree.
Think of it like this: whenever you are faced with options, you pick the one you want. The word also appears in music, where a guitarist might pick a string, or in social situations, where you might pick a fight, though that is rarely a good idea. It also shows up in common phrases, such as "picking up" a new hobby or "picking out" an outfit for a party.
The word "pick" is a linguistic workhorse that spans from simple selection to precise physical actions. At its core, it involves singling something out. Whether you are an employer picking the best candidate for a job or a child picking a candy from a jar, the essence is the same: selection from a variety.
Beyond mere choice, "pick" can also imply a specific kind of removal. This can be delicate, like picking lint off a jacket, or more laborious, like picking cotton in a field. This sense of precision is why we use the term for specialized tasks; a locksmith might pick a lock to open it without a key, and a musician picks individual notes on a banjo to create a crisp sound.
Figuratively, the word is just as active. If you "pick up on" something, you notice a subtle cue that others might miss. If you "pick apart" an argument, you are analyzing its flaws piece by piece. You might also "pick at" your food if you aren't hungry, or "pick at" a scab, an action that suggests small, repetitive movements.
Historically, "pick" is linked to the idea of a sharp point or a "peck," much like a bird picking at seeds. This is why a "pick" can also be a tool, like a pickaxe or a guitar pick. Whether you are making a choice, harvesting fruit, or carefully analyzing a problem, "pick" is a versatile verb that captures the act of focused attention and deliberate action.
Examples
- 1
Free choice
You can pick any table you like.
- 2
Harvesting
We picked strawberries in the field all morning.
- Patternpick + fruit/flowers
take them from a plant
- 3
Lifting someone
She picked the baby up and carried him inside.
- Patternpick someone/something up
lift them
- 4
Transportation
I'll pick you up at seven.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Informal learning
He picked up a little Spanish while traveling.
- Patternpick up + skill/language
learn it without formal study
- 6
Choosing options
I can't decide which phone to buy. Can you help me pick one out?
- Patternpick out
choose from several choices
- 7
Recognizing someone
She picked out her old teacher in the crowd right away.
- Patternpick someone out
recognize someone among other people
- 8
Eating lightly
Don't pick at your food if you're not hungry.
- Patternpick at + food
eat only a little, without interest
- 9
Repeated bullying
The older kids used to pick on him at school.
- Patternpick on someone
treat someone unkindly again and again
- 10
Starting conflict
He was tired and angry, so he picked a fight over nothing.
- Phrasepick a fight
start an argument or fight
- 11
Offered choice
Take your pick: tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
- Phrasetake your pick
choose whichever one you want
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- picknounverb
Forms
- pickedpast tenseverbnoun
- picking-ing formverbnoun
- pickspluralnounverb