select

1 of 3

adjective

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference

2

a

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

b

: exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics

3

: judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating

pleased with the select appreciation of his books

—Osbert Sitwell

selectable

sə-ˈlek-tə-bəl 

adjective

selectness

sə-ˈlek(t)-nəs 

noun

selector

sə-ˈlek-tər 

noun

select

2 of 3

verb

selected; selecting; selects

transitive verb

: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out

intransitive verb

: to make a choice

select

3 of 3

noun

: one that is select

—often used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• cherry-picked
• choice
• chosen
• elect
• favored
• favorite
• first-line
• handpicked
• picked
• preferred
• selected

Verb

• cherry-pick
• choose
• cull
• elect
• handpick
• name
• opt (for)
• pick
• prefer
• single (out)
• tag
• take

Examples of select in a Sentence

Adjective

Only a few select employees attended the meeting.

A select committee was formed to plan the project.

The group was small and select.

A select number of people are invited.

Only a select few will be accepted into the program.

He only drinks select wines.

Verb

Please select one item from the list.

The school will only select 12 applicants for enrollment.

Knowing the importance of making the right choice, he selected carefully.

Select “Insert” from the “Edit” menu.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Having refs or a select few of them have media availability would probably help folks understand the process a bit more. —Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Admission is free, and select Sunday games are livestreamed. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025

Verb

Designing and Enhancing Your Moon Garden Experience Since a moon garden is designed to be enjoyed in dim light, select a spot that is easy to access. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 June 2025

Trump regularly grants interviews to Fox News journalists, and selected several former hosts and pundits at the network to serve in key positions in his administration. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 19 June 2025

Noun

Not to mention the high quality selects below will run you less than $100. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2025

The whole physician-training process is designed to select for folks who have high intellectual capability, much like the world of professional sports selects for the athletically gifted. —Leon E. Moores, Md, Dsc, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin selectus, past participle of seligere to select, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + legere to gather, select — more at suicide, legend

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing select

• self-select

Rhymes for select

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

select

1 of 2 verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: to pick out from a number or group : choose

2

: to choose (a particular action or a section of text on a computer screen) especially using a mouse

select

2 of 2 adjective

1

: chosen from a number or group to include the best or most suitable individuals

invited only a few select employees

2

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

a select hotel

Medical Definition

select

intransitive verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

: to cause a specified gene, trait, or organism to become more frequent or less frequent

—usually used with for or against

animal breeders need to select simultaneously for improved conformity to breed characteristics and against defective genes causing disease