pick

noun countable

UK /pɪk/

Word Forms

singular	pick
plural	picks

1
a tool used for breaking roads and other hard surfaces consisting of a curved metal bar with one pointed end and one flat end and a long handle
Synonyms and related words
General hand tools
adjustable spanner
Allen key
applicator
2
Americana plectrum for a guitar
Synonyms and related words
Parts of musical instruments
bellows
bow
bridge

phrases

have your pick of something

the pick of something

take your pick

pick

noun countable

US /pɪk/

Word Forms

singular	pick
plural	picks

1
a tool used for breaking roads and other hard surfaces consisting of a curved metal bar with one pointed end and one flat end and a long handle
Synonyms and related words
General hand tools
adjustable wrench
Allen wrench
applicator
2
Americana small thin piece of plastic or metal used for playing the strings of a guitar or a similar musical instrument
Synonyms and related words
Parts of musical instruments
bellows
bow
bridge

phrases

have your pick of something

the pick of something

take your pick

pick

verb transitive

UK /pɪk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pick
he/she/it	picks
present participle	picking
past tense	picked
past participle	picked

1
to choose someone or something from a group
Out of all the girls he could have gone out with, he picked me.
pick someone/something for something:
The following season he was picked for the national squad.
pick someone to do something:
My friends picked me to ask the teacher.
Synonyms and related words
To choose someone or something
choose
pick
decide on
1. 1a
  to choose the people who you want to have in a particular group
  He will pick the team for Saturday’s match tomorrow.
  I haven’t picked my team yet for the new project.
  Synonyms and related words
  To choose a person
  anoint
  appoint
  delegate
2
to take something with your fingers
He was on his knees picking crumbs off the carpet.
Synonyms and related words
To touch, or to pick up someone or something
touch
pick up
handle
1. 2a
  to get flowers or fruit by breaking them off their stems
  They spent the summer picking strawberries.
  freshly picked flowers
  Synonyms and related words
  To touch, or to pick up someone or something
  touch
  pick up
  handle
3

pick
or
pick at
to keep pulling something with your nails
She sits and picks the loose skin on her feet.
Synonyms and related words
To move something by pulling
drag
heave
tear at
4
mainly Americanto play a guitar or similar instrument by pulling the strings with your fingers
Synonyms and related words
Playing, performing and arranging music
accompany
arrange
articulation

phrases

pick and choose (something)

pick someone’s brains

pick a fight/quarrel with someone

pick holes in something

pick a lock

pick your nose

pick someone’s pocket

pick your teeth

pick something to pieces

pick your way somewhere

pick a winner

phrasal verbs

pick at

pick off

pick on

pick out

pick over

pick through

pick up

pick up after

pick up on

pick

verb transitive

US /pɪk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pick
he/she/it	picks
present participle	picking
past tense	picked
past participle	picked

1
to choose someone or something from a group
Out of all the girls he could have gone out with, he picked me.
pick someone/something for something:
She was picked for the school play.
pick someone to do something:
My friends picked me to ask the teacher.
Synonyms and related words
To choose someone or something
choose
pick
decide on
1. 1a
  to choose the people who you want to have in a particular group
  I haven’t picked my team yet for the new project.
  Synonyms and related words
  To choose a person
  anoint
  appoint
  delegate
2
to take something with your fingers
He was on his knees picking crumbs off the carpet.
Synonyms and related words
To touch, or to pick up someone or something
touch
pick up
handle
1. 2a
  to get flowers or fruit by breaking them off their stems
  They spent the summer picking strawberries.
  freshly picked flowers
  Synonyms and related words
  To touch, or to pick up someone or something
  touch
  pick up
  handle
3

pick
or
pick at
to keep pulling something with your nails
If you keep picking that scab, it will never heal.
Synonyms and related words
To move something by pulling
drag
heave
tear at
4
to play a guitar or similar instrument by pulling the strings with your fingers
Synonyms and related words
Playing, performing and arranging music
accompany
arrange
articulation

phrases

pick and choose (something)

pick someone’s brains

pick a fight/quarrel with someone

pick holes in something

pick a lock

pick your nose

pick someone’s pocket

pick your teeth

pick something to pieces

pick your way somewhere

pick a winner

phrasal verbs

pick at

pick off

pick on

pick out

pick over

pick through

pick up

pick up after

pick up on

pick

pick

pick ​‌‌‌

pick

pick at

pick ​‌‌‌

pick

pick at

pick

pick