pick

PIK/pɪk/

Verbpicks, picking, picked

Noun pluralpicks

33 meanings of pick

Practice

1
chooseverbtransitive
To choose one thing from a group of options.
Like choosing which candy you want from a jar.
Please pick a color for your new bike.
She picked the smallest puppy from the litter.
UsageSay pick someone for a team. Pick up is different.
Similarchoose, select, elect
Oppositereject
2
choicenoun
The right or chance to choose what you want.
Like being first in line to grab the best seat.
She got first pick of the toys.
Take your pick of these books.
UsageSay take your pick: choose any one.
Similarchoice, selection
Note
3
gather upverbtransitive
To gather things one by one from different places.
Like collecting flowers one by one to make a bunch.
Every spring we pick rocks from all over the field.
She picked up shells along the beach all morning.
Similarcollect, gather
4
harvestverbtransitive
To take fruit or vegetables off a plant, or pull a plant from the ground.
Like taking ripe berries off a bush one by one.
We pick apples every fall at the farm.
She picked ripe tomatoes from the garden.
Similarharvest, gather, pluck
5
best onenoun
The best one chosen from a whole group.
Like the shiniest apple at the top of the basket.
This puppy is the pick of the litter.
That player was the pick of the whole team.
UsageSay the pick of the bunch: the best one.
Similarbest, cream, highlight
6
choose carefullyverbtransitive
To do something with great care, paying attention to small details, or to choose something carefully.
Pick your way slowly through the broken glass on the floor.
She picked her words slowly before she answered.
UsageSay pick your way or pick your words.
Similarchoose, select, weigh
Note
7
pluck outverbtransitive
To take something off or out using your fingers or a small pointed tool.
He picked the food from between his teeth.
Don't pick your nose at the table.
UsageSay pick something out of or off something.
Similarpluck, remove, pull, extract
Note

Less common meanings

8
fiddle withverbintransitive
To grab and pull at something with your fingers or nails.
Stop picking at that scab on your knee.
She tends to pick at loose threads on her sweater.
UsageSay pick at a label or a scab.
Similarpluck, tug, pull
9
digging toolnouncountable
A heavy tool with a sharp metal head, used for breaking ground or rock.
Like a giant nail you swing to crack hard ground.
The miner swung his pick at the rock wall.
He used a pick to break the frozen soil.
UsageAlso called a pickaxe.
Similarpickaxe
10
guitar toolnouncountable
A small flat piece of plastic used to play guitar strings.
Like a tiny paddle that pushes the strings.
He dropped his pick inside the guitar.
He lost his guitar pick again during practice.
Similarplectrum
Note
11
pluck stringsverbtransitive
To play a guitar or similar instrument by plucking its strings.
Like plucking rubber bands to make different sounds.
He likes to pick the banjo on the porch.
She picked a slow tune on her guitar.
Similarpluck
Note
12
open a lockverbtransitive
To open a lock without its key, using a wire or special tool.
Like opening a door with a bent pin instead of a key.
The thief picked the lock in seconds.
Can you pick this lock without a key?
UsageSay pick a lock.
Note
13
lock toolnouncountable
A small tool used to open a lock without its key.
Like a special tool that fits many locks.
The locksmith used a thin pick to open the door without a key.
He bent a wire into a makeshift pick.
14
start a fightverbtransitive
To try to start a fight or argument with someone.
Like poking someone over and over to make them angry.
He's always trying to pick a fight at school.
She picked a quarrel with her brother over nothing.
UsageSay pick a fight with someone.
Similarstart (entry), provoke
Oppositeavoid
15
interceptionnouncountable
In football, a catch by a defender of a pass thrown by the opposing team.
Like catching a ball that was thrown to someone else.
The cornerback grabbed a pick in the end zone.
Two picks in one quarter sealed the win.
Similarinterception
Note
16
intercept (football)verbcolloquialtransitive
In football, to catch a pass thrown by the other team's offense.
Like grabbing a letter meant for your neighbor before it arrives.
He can pick the quarterback if he reads the play right.
She picked two passes in the championship game.
Similarintercept
Note
17
screen (sports)nouncountable
In team sports, a move where a player stands in a defender's way to free a teammate.
Like standing in the way so a friend can run past.
He set a pick so his teammate could shoot.
A good pick gives the shooter an open look.
UsageSay set a pick.
Similarscreen
Note
18
eat littleverbintransitive
To eat only a little, in small bites, without much interest.
Like a bird taking tiny bites here and there.
He tends to pick at his meals when he's stressed.
She just picked at her salad during the meeting.
UsageSay pick at your food.
Similarnibble, peck
Oppositedevour, gobble
Note
19
stealverbtransitive
To steal something, often quietly or in small amounts.
Someone picked her pocket while she watched the parade.
A boy on the bus tried to pick my pocket.
Similarsteal, pilfer, lift
Note
20
set a screenverbintransitive
In basketball, to block a defender so a teammate can get free.
Like making a wall with your body so a teammate gets away.
He will pick for the shooter on this play.
She picked for her teammate near the basket.
Similarscreen
Note
21
combnouncountable
A comb with long teeth set far apart, used for thick curly hair.
She used a pick to fluff out her curls.
He ran a pick through his hair before the photo.
22
verbdatedtransitive
To poke or strike at something with a beak or a sharp point.
Similarpeck, prick, pierce
Note
23
read (cricket)verbtransitive
In cricket, to tell what kind of ball a bowler will throw by watching their hand.
Like guessing which way a friend will throw by watching their arm.
Good batters can pick a spin ball early.
She picked the slower ball and waited for it.
Similarread, spot, detect
Note
24
noun
In baseball, a play where the pitcher throws to a base to get a runner out.
25
noun
In baseball, a skillful defensive play made by an infielder.
26
nounAustralia
Grass or food that grazing animals find and eat in a field.
27
noun
A pointed hammer used to cut grooves into millstones.
28
nounslang
The heavy metal hook that keeps a boat from moving.
29
nounobsolete
A sharp spike, like the one in the middle of a shield.
30
noundated
A speck of paper or ink clogging printing type, leaving a spot on the page.
31
noun
A tiny dab of paint used to fix a rough spot in a painting.
32
noun
In weaving, one pass of the thread across the loom, or one crosswise thread in cloth.
33
verbobsolete
To toss or fling something.
as high as I could pick my lance
c. 1608, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of pick apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From an old English word meaning to pick, prick, or pluck. It is related to words like Dutch pikken and German picken.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Pick derives from Old English words meaning to pick, prick, or pluck. en.wiktionary.org
Pick is related to Dutch pikken. en.wiktionary.org
Pick is related to German picken. en.wiktionary.org