selection
gb/səlˈɛkʃən/ us/səlˈɛkʃən/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a group of chosen things or people
A small group of things or people chosen from many.
Usage pattern:
a selection of [things/people]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'selection' with 'option'; 'option' is one possible choice, while 'selection' is a group of chosen items.
Synonyms
choice (Often refers to the act of choosing or the option itself; 'selection' emphasizes the chosen set.)
Antonyms
collection (A collection may include all items gathered without choosing; opposite in the sense of not filtering or picking carefully.)
Collocations
wide selection
|fine selection
|selection process
|selection of candidates
|selection criteria
Themes
daily life
|business
|shopping
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The store offers a wide selection of cheeses.
- Our library has an impressive selection of science fiction books.
- The final selection of players will be announced tomorrow.
- She admired the selection of dresses on display.
- We tasted a selection of wines during the tour.
Learner examples
- The shop has a big selection of shoes.
- I saw a nice selection of fruits at the market.
- We looked at the selection of pictures on the wall.
- He brought a selection of cakes to the party.
Noun
B1
action
2
the act of choosing
The act of choosing something from many options.
Usage pattern:
the selection of [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'selection' (process) with 'choice' (result). 'Selection' here focuses on the act, not the final item.
Synonyms
picking (Informal and simple term for the act of choosing.)
Antonyms
rejection (Choosing not to accept something, opposite in decision outcome.)
Collocations
natural selection
|staff selection
|random selection
|selection process
|selection criteria
Themes
daily life
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee is responsible for the selection of new members.
- Selection for the team will be based on performance.
- The job requires careful selection of materials.
- Selection takes place every spring.
- The artist's work was included after a careful selection process.
Learner examples
- The teacher made the selection of class leaders.
- Selection for the game was hard.
- I helped with the selection of songs.
- They talked about the selection process.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
highlighted area in digital content
Part of text or picture on a computer that you mark to change or copy it.
Usage pattern:
make a selection in [software/document]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'selection' here with 'choice'; in computing, it refers to marked content for action, not deciding between options.
Synonyms
highlight (Refers specifically to marking text or objects, often as part of creating a selection.)
Antonyms
deselection (The action of removing the highlight or mark from an area.)
Collocations
text selection
|make a selection
|highlight selection
Themes
technology
|computing
|communication
Examples
- Use your mouse to make a selection and then press delete.
- The software allows multiple selections at once.
- Highlight the sentence to create a text selection.
- Right-click on your selection to see more options.
Learner examples
- Make a selection with your mouse.
- Click and drag to make a text selection.
- You can copy the selection and paste it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
selection
IPA
GB/səlˈɛkʃən/
US/səlˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
se - lec - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: selection
- Plural: selection, selections
Word family
Forms
selections
noun
Related words
selectively
adverb
selector
noun
Negative and opposite forms
deselect
verb
unselective
adjective
Advanced or less common
selectivity
noun C1
Expressions
make a selection
1/mˈeɪk ə səlˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
choose from available options
To choose something from several things.
Examples
- Please make a selection from the menu.
- You need to make a selection before continuing.
random selection
1/ɹˈændəm səlˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
choosing without order or reason
Choosing something without any plan or rule.
Examples
- Winners were picked by random selection.
- Random selection ensures fairness in the study.
natural selection
1/nˈæt͡ʃɚəl səlˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
evolutionary process favoring better-adapted organisms
The way animals and plants change over time because those better suited to their environment live and have more babies.
Examples
- Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution.
- Natural selection is a key mechanism in evolution.
- Darwin explained how species evolve through natural selection.
- Darwin explained how natural selection shapes species over time.