Elect — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /i-ˈlekt/

Meaning & Definition of Elect

Elect (adjective)

  1. carefully selected, chosen
  2. chosen for salvation through divine mercy
  3. chosen for office or position but not yet installed

Elect (noun)

  1. one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
  2. a select or exclusive group of people

Elect (verb)

  1. to select by vote for an office, position, or membership
  2. to make a selection of
  3. to choose (something, such as a course of action) especially by preference

Elect (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

    "I've elected to study French as my foreign language"

    similar: cherry-pick, choose, cull, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), tag, take
    related: preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon)
    opposite: decline, refuse, reject, turn down
    near: disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

Elect (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking

    "this elect body of students represents the best that the nation's high schools have to offer"

    similar: cherry-picked, choice, chosen, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked, preferred, select, selected, of choice
    related: fashionable, exclusive, culled, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out)
    near: average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill

Elect (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class

    "the members of this all-American team are the elect of collegiate football"

    similar: A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust, cream of the crop, Hall of Fame
    related: establishment, gentry, nobility, quality, society, top, top drawer, upper class, caviar, who's who
    near: commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Elect

The most common words with a similar meaning to Elect:

cherry-pick, choose, cull, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), tag, take, cherry-picked, choice, chosen, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked, preferred, selected, of choice, A-list, aristocracy, best, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust, cream of the crop

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Elect

Words with the opposite meaning of Elect:

decline, refuse, reject, turn down

Related Words for Elect

preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon), fashionable, exclusive, culled, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out), establishment, gentry, nobility, quality, society, top, top drawer, upper class, caviar

Near Antonyms of Elect

disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed

Word Forms of Elect

Inflections: elected, electing, elects

Origin & Etymology of Elect

Middle English, from Latin electus, past participle of eligere to select, from e- + legere to choose legend

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Elect

Words & Phrases Containing Elect

president-elect, self-elected

Frequently Asked Questions about Elect

What does "Elect" mean?

"Elect" means carefully selected, chosen. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: carefully selected, chosen. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Elect"?

Other words for "Elect" include cherry-pick, choose, cull, handpick, name, opt (for), pick and prefer. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Elect" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Elect"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Elect". Common alternatives include cherry-pick, choose, cull, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select and single (out).

What is the opposite of "Elect"?

Antonyms of "Elect" include decline, refuse, reject and turn down. Near antonyms include disapprove, negative, repudiate and spurn.

How do you use "Elect" in a sentence?

Examples of "Elect" in a sentence: "I've elected to study French as my foreign language"; "this elect body of students represents the best that the nation's high schools have to offer"; "the members of this all-American team are the elect of collegiate football".

Is "Elect" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Elect" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Elect" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Elect" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Elect"?

"Elect" is pronounced /i-ˈlekt/.