pick
Choose or select something
To choose one thing or person from several.
to pick [something/someone]
- She picked the red dress instead of the blue one.
- You can pick any book you like from the shelf.
- They picked John to lead the project.
- I picked three songs for the playlist.
- We need to pick a date for the meeting.
- I will pick this shirt.
- Please pick one card.
- He picks the big apple.
- We pick our seats early.
- You can pick your lunch.
Remove using fingers or tool
To take something away by using your fingers or a small tool.
to pick [something] from [something]
- She picked an apple from the tree.
- He picked the lock with a hairpin.
- The child picked a toy from the box.
- Workers picked grapes in the vineyard.
- I pick the flower from the garden.
- She picks an apple from the tree.
- They pick the ball from the water.
Fiddle with fingers repeatedly
To touch or pull something many times with your fingers.
to pick at [something]
- Don't pick at that scab or it won't heal.
- He kept picking at his nails during the meeting.
- She absent-mindedly picked at the edge of the paper.
- Do not pick at your skin.
- She picks at her food slowly.
- He picks at his nails.
A choice or selection
Something or someone that is chosen from many options.
- The committee's pick for president was announced today.
- She's our top pick for the role.
- That was a good pick for dinner.
- This is my first pick.
- He is our top pick.
- That is a good pick.
Small plucking or striking tool
A small tool used to remove things or play a guitar.
- He strummed the guitar with a pick.
- The climber carried an ice pick for safety.
- She used a toothpick to clean her teeth.
- I play guitar with a pick.
- He uses an ice pick in climbing.
- She cleans her teeth with a toothpick.
- Base: pick
- Plural: pick, picks
- Base: pick
- 3rd Person Singular: picks
- Present Participle: picking
- Past: picked
pick on
1Bully or criticize repeatedly
To be unkind to someone again and again without reason.
- The older kids always picked on him at school.
- Stop picking on your little brother!
pick out
1Identify and choose from group
To choose one thing from many by looking carefully.
- She picked out a blue dress from the rack.
- Can you pick out your name on this list?
pick over
1Examine to find best items
To look carefully at many things to choose the best ones.
- Shoppers picked over the sale items for bargains.
- They picked over the fruit before buying.
pick up
1Lift from a surface by hand
To take something into your hand from a table, floor, etc.
- Can you pick up that pen for me?
- She picked up the baby and smiled.
pick up
4collect from a place
To go somewhere and get someone or something.
- Can you pick me up from the station?
- I need to pick up my prescription after work.
- She picked the kids up from school.
pick up on
1Notice and understand subtlety
To see and understand something that is not easy to see right away.
- He quickly picked up on her nervousness.
- Did you pick up on what she meant?