pick
gb/pˈɪk/ us/pˈɪk/
A2
English
~ 800
választ, kiválaszt, leszed, feltör, piszkál, kapargat, választás, pengető, jégcsákány
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to pick [something/someone]
She picked the red dress instead of the blue one.
A piros ruhát választotta a kék helyett.
You can pick any book you like from the shelf.
Bármelyik neked tetsző könyvet kiválaszthatod a polcról.
They picked John to lead the project.
I picked three songs for the playlist.
We need to pick a date for the meeting.
Learner examples
I will pick this shirt.
Ezt az inget fogom választani.
Please pick one card.
Kérlek, válassz egy kártyát.
He picks the big apple.
We pick our seats early.
You can pick your lunch.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pick' meaning 'choose' with 'pick' meaning 'remove' (e.g., 'pick flowers'). Context decides the meaning.
Meaning
Choose or select something
Collocations
pick a winner
|pick a team
|pick a color
|pick your favorite
Synonyms
choose (Most common and neutral alternative; interchangeable in many contexts.)
|
select (Slightly more formal than 'pick'.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse or not choose something.)
Themes
daily life
|decision making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose one thing or person from several.
To choose or select someone or something from a group of options.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to pick [something] from [something]
She picked an apple from the tree.
Leszedett egy almát a fáról.
He picked the lock with a hairpin.
Hajtűvel feltörte a zárat.
The child picked a toy from the box.
Workers picked grapes in the vineyard.
Learner examples
I pick the flower from the garden.
Leszedek egy virágot a kertben.
She picks an apple from the tree.
Leszed egy almát a fáról.
They pick the ball from the water.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'pick' with 'collect'. 'Pick' often means to remove individually, usually by hand.
Meaning
Remove using fingers or tool
Collocations
pick flowers
|pick fruit
|pick a lock
Synonyms
pluck (Often used for removing plants, feathers, or strings.)
Antonyms
place (To put something somewhere rather than remove it.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take something away by using your fingers or a small tool.
To remove something from a surface or object using the fingers or an instrument.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to pick at [something]
Don't pick at that scab or it won't heal.
Ne piszkáld azt a vart, különben nem gyógyul be.
He kept picking at his nails during the meeting.
Az értekezlet alatt végig a körmét piszkálta.
She absent-mindedly picked at the edge of the paper.
Learner examples
Do not pick at your skin.
Ne piszkáld a bőrödet.
She picks at her food slowly.
Lassan piszkálgatja az ételét.
He picks at his nails.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'pick at' with 'eat' in general; it actually means to eat very little or touch food without interest.
Meaning
Fiddle with fingers repeatedly
Collocations
pick at food
|pick at skin
Synonyms
fiddle with (Less about removal, more about restless touching.)
Antonyms
leave alone (To stop touching or disturbing something.)
Themes
daily life
|body
|daily_life
Definition
To touch or pull something many times with your fingers.
To repeatedly touch, pull, or scratch at something using one's fingers, often causing damage or irritation.
NOUN
A2
4
választás
A2
The committee's pick for president was announced today.
Ma bejelentették, kit választott a bizottság elnöknek.
She's our top pick for the role.
Ő az első számú választásunk a szerepre.
That was a good pick for dinner.
Learner examples
This is my first pick.
Ez az első választásom.
He is our top pick.
Ő az első számú választásunk.
That is a good pick.
Meaning
A choice or selection
Collocations
first pick
|good pick
|top pick
Synonyms
choice (Most common equivalent; interchangeable.)
|
selection (Slightly more formal than 'pick'.)
Antonyms
reject (Something that was not chosen.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something or someone that is chosen from many options.
A person or thing that has been chosen from a group of possibilities.
NOUN
B1
5
pengető
B1
jégcsákány
B2
He strummed the guitar with a pick.
Pengetővel pengette a gitárt.
The climber carried an ice pick for safety.
A mászó a biztonság kedvéért jégcsákányt vitt magával.
She used a toothpick to clean her teeth.
Learner examples
I play guitar with a pick.
Pengetővel gitározom.
He uses an ice pick in climbing.
Hegymászáskor jégcsákányt használ.
She cleans her teeth with a toothpick.
Meaning
Small plucking or striking tool
Collocations
guitar pick
|ice pick
Synonyms
plectrum (Technical term mainly used in music for guitar picks.)
Themes
music
|tools
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A small tool used to remove things or play a guitar.
A small tool used for plucking, removing, or striking something, such as a guitar pick or an ice pick.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pick
IPA
GB/pˈɪk/
US/pˈɪk/
Syllables & stress
pick (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pick
- Plural: pick, picks
Verb
- Base: pick
- 3rd Person Singular: picks
- Present Participle: picking
- Past: picked
Word family
Forms
picks
noun
picking
verb
picked
verb
Core family
picky
adjective B1
picker
noun
Related words
handpick
verb
pickiness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unpick
verb
Advanced or less common
cherry-pick
verb
Expressions
pick on
1/pˈɪk ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Bully or criticize repeatedly
To be unkind to someone again and again without reason.
Examples
- The older kids always picked on him at school.
- Stop picking on your little brother!
pick out
1/pˈɪk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Identify and choose from group
To choose one thing from many by looking carefully.
Examples
- She picked out a blue dress from the rack.
- Can you pick out your name on this list?
pick over
1/pˈɪk ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Examine to find best items
To look carefully at many things to choose the best ones.
Examples
- Shoppers picked over the sale items for bargains.
- They picked over the fruit before buying.
pick up
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Lift from a surface by hand
To take something into your hand from a table, floor, etc.
Examples
- Can you pick up that pen for me?
- She picked up the baby and smiled.
pick up
4/pˈɪk ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
collect from a place
To go somewhere and get someone or something.
Examples
- Can you pick me up from the station?
- I need to pick up my prescription after work.
- She picked the kids up from school.
Learner examples
- I will pick you up at eight.
- He picked up the package yesterday.
pick up on
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Notice and understand subtlety
To see and understand something that is not easy to see right away.
Examples
- He quickly picked up on her nervousness.
- Did you pick up on what she meant?