Pick
/pɪk/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo choose or select something or someone from a group or set.
/pɪk/
To choose or select something or someone.
She picked a red apple from the tree.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at an ice cream shop and have to choose one flavor. That's picking! It's like making a decision.
👶 For kids: To choose something from a group. Like choosing your favorite toy!
More Examples
He picked his favorite song for the playlist.
The teacher picked a student to answer the question.
How It's Used
"I need to pick a movie to watch tonight."
"The coach picked the best players for the team."
To use a pointed tool or one's fingers to detach, remove, or loosen something.
/pɪk/
To remove something with a pointed object.
He picked the lock with a hairpin.
💡 Simply: Think of using your fingernails to get something small out from a tight space, or using a tool to unlock something. It is like using something sharp to remove or manipulate something small.
👶 For kids: To take something small off of something with your fingers or a tool. Like picking your nose (don't do that, though!)
More Examples
She picked at the loose thread on her coat.
The archaeologist carefully picked away the dirt to find the artifact.
How It's Used
"He picked the lock on the door."
"She picked at a scab on her knee."
The act of selecting or choosing something.
/pɪk/
The act of choosing.
The restaurant's menu offers a variety of choices; it's a tough pick.
💡 Simply: It's the choice you make. Like when someone asks, 'What's your pick?'
👶 For kids: The thing you choose! Like, "What's your favorite color?" The color is your pick.
More Examples
The critic's pick for the best book of the year was quite controversial.
He made a good pick when he chose that career.
How It's Used
"My pick for the best movie of the year is...""
"He made a great pick in the draft."
A pointed tool, often used for breaking up hard materials or for mining.
/pɪk/
A pointed tool.
The miners used a pickaxe to break through the rock.
💡 Simply: It's like a tool with a sharp point, like a pickaxe, used for digging, breaking things, etc.
👶 For kids: A tool that has a point, used to break things up like rocks.
More Examples
The construction worker used a pick to remove the old tiles.
They used a pick to loosen the frozen ground.
How It's Used
"He used a pick to break up the concrete."
"The miners used picks to extract the ore."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
pick and choose
To carefully select from a range of options.
"Customers can pick and choose the features they want in the new software."
pick someone's brain
To ask someone questions to get information or advice.
"I need to pick your brain about the new project."
pick up
To acquire or learn something.
"I will pick up the groceries on my way home."
pick on
To criticize or treat someone unfairly, often repeatedly.
"The older kids kept picking on the younger ones at the playground."
pick apart
To analyze or criticize something in detail, often finding flaws.
"The reviewers picked apart the flaws in the politician's argument."
From Middle English *pikken*, from Old English *pycian* ('to prick, pierce, pick').
The word 'pick' has been used since Old English, originally referring to a sharp point or the act of pricking or piercing.
Memory tip
Think of picking your favorite fruit from a basket.