Pick — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈpik/

Meaning & Definition of Pick

Pick (verb)

  1. to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument
  2. to remove bit by bit
  3. to remove covering or adhering matter from
  4. to throw or thrust with effort, hurl
  5. to throw (a shuttle) across the loom

Pick (noun)

  1. a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
  2. the act or privilege of choosing or selecting, choice
  3. the best or choicest one
  4. a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends
  5. toothpick
  6. picklock
  7. the act of pitching or throwing
  8. something thrown
  9. a throw of the shuttle

Pick (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person or thing that is chosen

    "that team is my pick to win the Super Bowl"

    similar: bet, choice, chosen, selection
    related: favorite, like, liking, preference, elective, option, appointment, designation, nomination, appointee, candidate, nominee, selectee, preselection

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

    "the pick of the contestants will go on to the next competition"

    similar: A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, 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

  3. the power, right, or opportunity to choose

    "you have first pick of your office mates for the softball team"

    similar: alternative, choice, discretion, druthers (dialect), election, liberty, option, preference, selection, volition, way
    related: determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment, perspicacity
    near: coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

  4. a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

    "in the days when corporal punishment was permissible, it was not uncommon for an inattentive student to get a sharp pick in the head with a blackboard pointer"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse (British), fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup (dialect), lash, lick, pelt, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop
    related: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling, drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

Pick (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use

    "pick peas and beans from the garden for dinner"

    similar: gather, harvest, reap
    related: clam, fish, seal, shrimp, whale, accumulate, forage, garner, glean, cut, hay, mow, bag, capture, hunt, net, snare, trap, crop, grow, raise
    near: plant, seed, sow

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

    "I pick you as my partner"

    similar: cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), 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

  3. to bring (something volatile or intense) into being

    "he seems to be trying to pick a fight"

    similar: abet, brew, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up), set in motion
    related: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate, detonate, set, set off, trigger, excite, galvanize, inflame, inspire, motivate, rouse, activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, vitalize
    near: bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame, allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize

  4. to eat reluctantly and in small bites

    "still suffering from the shock of his wife's death, he could do no more than pick halfheartedly at his food"

    similar: nibble, peck
    related: graze, nosh, snack, taste
    near: gorge, gormandize, overeat, pig out, swill

  5. to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object

    "continued to pick the block of ice until she was able to extract the shrimp"

    similar: gore, harpoon, impale, jab, lance, peck, pierce, pink, puncture, run through, skewer, spear, spike, spit, stab, stick, transfix, transpierce
    related: spindle, perforate, riddle, bayonet, dirk, gimlet, pike, poniard, prong, quill, pinprick, poke, prick, punch, thrust, cut, knife, slice

Related Entry: Pick-and-shovel (adjective)

Pick-and-shovel is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick-and-shovel, not for pick.

  1. requiring considerable physical or mental effort

    "she loves coming up with the big idea but hates the actual pick-and-shovel work of starting a new business"

    similar: arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling, hard, heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
    related: abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic, recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky, bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying, annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious, grievous, grim, strict, stringent, brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful
    opposite: cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
    near: achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated, comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing, accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

Related Entry: Pick off (verb)

Pick off is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick off, not for pick.

  1. to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course

    "picked off more passes than any other player in the division"

    similar: block, intercept, interdict
    related: capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, seize, snare, snatch, trap

Related Entry: Pick up (verb)

Pick up is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick up, not for pick.

  1. to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in

    "he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks"

    similar: get, learn, master, get the hang of
    related: apprehend, comprehend, grasp, know, understand, absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in), imbibe, ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig up, discern, discover, examine, find out, hear, hit (on or upon), run down, scare up, search (for), see, track (down), tumble (to), unearth, major (in), study, memorize
    opposite: unlearn
    near: forget, misunderstand, miss, overlook, disregard, ignore, neglect

  2. to bring together in one body or place

    "pick up all of your things because we have to be off this beach before dark"

    similar: accumulate, amass, assemble, bulk (up), collect, concentrate, congregate, constellate, corral, garner, gather, group, lump, round up, get together
    related: ball, batch, bunch, cluster, huddle, heap, pile, stack, band, brigade, muster, raise, rally, flock, herd, hive, pack, press, swarm, throng, combine, connect, join, link, merge, pool, unite, archive, arrange, collate, compile, organize, systematize, scrape (up or together), re-collect, regather, regroup
    opposite: dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter
    near: break up, disband, disintegrate, dissolve, separate, sever, split (up), dismiss, send

  3. to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for

    "could you pick up some milk at the store?"

    similar: buy, cop (slang), purchase, take
    related: acquire, gain, garner, get, obtain, procure, secure, win, finance, pay (for), spring (for), barter (for), deal (for), dicker (over), exchange (for), haggle (for), negotiate (about), trade (for), bargain (with), chaffer (with), horse-trade (with), palter (with), bid, offer, rebuy, repurchase
    near: deal (in), market, merchandise, retail, sell, vend

  4. to gradually increase in

    "the boat was just picking up speed when it was rammed by another boat"

    similar: build up, gain, gather, grow (in)
    related: double (in), triple (in), accrue, accumulate, amass, excite, stimulate, enhance, enlarge, enrich, expand, extend, maximize, boost, elevate, jack (up), mount, ramp (up), step up
    opposite: decrease (in), lose
    near: abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper off

  5. to move from a lower to a higher place or position

    "pick up your feet while I vacuum in front of the sofa"

    similar: boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, heighten, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), raise, take up, up, uphold, uplift, upraise
    related: ascend, mount, rise, rear, upend
    opposite: drop, lower
    near: descend, dip, fall, pitch, plunge, slip, bear, depress, press, push, sink, submerge

  6. to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

    "police picked up the fugitive when she went out to buy food"

    similar: apprehend, arrest, bust (slang), collar, nab, nail, nick (British slang), pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize
    related: bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap, commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up), bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel, rearrest, remand
    opposite: discharge
    near: emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring, unbind, unchain

  7. to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff

    "I thought you said you had picked up, so why are these things still lying around the rec room?"

    similar: clean (up), tidy (up), clean house, set straight
    related: houseclean, housekeep, clean (off), neaten, police (up), straighten (up), turn out, unclutter, arrange, order
    near: clutter, disarrange, mess (up)

  8. to begin again or return to after an interruption

    "after the protestors were removed from the auditorium, the speaker picked up his lecture right where he had left off"

    similar: continue, proceed (with), renew, reopen, restart, resume
    related: resuscitate, revive, recrudesce
    near: complete, conclude, consummate, end, finalize, finish, belay, break, can (slang), cease, check, cut, desist, discontinue, drop, halt, knock off, leave off, quit, scuttle, shut off, stay, stop, terminate

  9. to make neat

    "the boy's bedroom looked like it hadn't been picked up in quite a while"

    similar: neaten, redd (up or out) (chiefly dialect), spruce (up), straighten (up or out), tidy (up), trim
    related: arrange, array, classify, codify, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize, range, systematize
    near: disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disorder, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset

Related Entry: Pick-me-up (noun)

Pick-me-up is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick-me-up, not for pick.

  1. something (such as a drink) that makes you feel better and more lively

    "Coffee is my usual morning pick-me-up."

    "I could really use a pick-me-up after the day I just had."

    similar: hand, lift, advantage, aid, asset, benefit, boon, help, plus, boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeast, inducement, catalyst, catalyzer, energizer, fuel, refresher, spark, support, sustenance
    opposite: constraint, inhibitor, liability, obstacle, obstruction, restraint, stranglehold, counterincentive, disincentive, disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus

Related Entry: Pick at (phrase)

Pick at is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick at, not for pick.

  1. to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders

    "Stop picking at your sister."

    similar: dog, henpeck, hound, nag, needle, peck (at)
    related: carp (at), fuss (about or over), nitpick, annoy, badger, bait, bother, bug, chivy, harass, harry, hassle, irk, pester, plague, ride, vex, yap (at), egg, goad, incite, prod, prompt, spur, urge, exhort, insist, press, pressure, push, blandish, cajole, coax, wheedle, beg, importune, plead
    near: compliment, commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout, acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol

Related Entry: Pick on (phrase)

Pick on is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick on, not for pick.

  1. to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

    "Picking on others is not tolerated at this school."

    similar: blackjack, bogart, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, bullyrag, cow, hector, intimidate, strong-arm
    related: bluster, trash-talk, affright, alarm, frighten, horrify, scare, shock, spook, startle, terrify, menace, terrorize, threaten, badger, harass, hound, bludgeon, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, force, make, oblige, press, pressure, push around, demoralize, psych (out), unman, unnerve, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, upset
    near: cheer, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe, embolden, encourage, hearten, steel, convince, persuade

  2. to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults

    "Stop picking on your siblings!"

    similar: bait, hassle, haze, heckle, needle, ride, taunt, tease, make game of
    related: deride, gibe, jeer, mock, ridicule, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark (British), nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex, aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try, aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb, badger, dog, hound, browbeat, bully, hector, harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

Related Entry: Pick the brains of (phrase)

Pick the brains of is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick the brains of, not for pick.

  1. to put a series of questions to

    "The conference presented an opportunity to pick the brains of some of the world's greatest scientists."

    similar: catechize, examine, grill, interrogate, pump, query, question, quiz, sweat (slang), give the third degree to
    related: debrief, cross-examine, cross-question, annoy, harass, hound, pester, canvass, poll

Related Entry: Pick up on (phrase)

Pick up on is a different word from Pick. The synonyms below are for pick up on, not for pick.

  1. to have a clear idea of

    "The students picked up on the new material quickly."

    similar: appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand
    related: absorb, digest, take in, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce
    opposite: miss
    near: misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

  2. to take for one's own use (something originated by another)

    "She picked up on earlier styles of painting and added her own flourishes."

    similar: adopt, borrow, embrace, espouse, take on, take up
    related: domesticate, naturalize, appropriate, arrogate, take over, usurp, absorb, assimilate, incorporate, quote, cherish, prize, treasure, cultivate, follow, heed, honor, use, utilize, bring up, foster, nurture, raise, rear, affect, assume, copy, imitate, pretend, put on, simulate
    near: abandon, forsake, give up, relinquish, surrender, abjure, abnegate, disown, reject, renounce, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, junk, throw away, throw out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pick

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pick:

Dialect: druthers, larrup
British: douse
bet, choice, chosen, selection, A-list, aristocracy, best, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elect, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust, alternative, discretion, election, liberty, option, preference, volition, way, bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pick

Words with the opposite meaning of Pick:

decline, refuse, reject, turn down

Related Words for Pick

favorite, like, liking, elective, appointment, designation, nomination, appointee, candidate, nominee, selectee, preselection, establishment, gentry, nobility, quality, society, top, top drawer, upper class, caviar, who's who, determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, partiality

Near Antonyms of Pick

commoners, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, rank and file, unwashed, coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice, plant, seed, sow, disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out, bridle, check, constrain, curb

Word Forms of Pick

Inflections: picked, picking, picks

Origin & Etymology of Pick

Middle English piken, partly from Old English *pīcian (akin to Middle Dutch picken to prick); partly from Middle French piquer to prick pike

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pick

Words & Phrases Containing Pick

pick a fight, pick and choose, pick-and-roll, pick-and-shovel, pick at

Frequently Asked Questions about Pick

What does "Pick" mean?

"Pick" means to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument. It has 9 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pick"?

Other words for "Pick" include bet, choice, chosen, selection, A-list, aristocracy, best and corps d'elite. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pick" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pick"?

There are 293 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pick". Common alternatives include bet, choice, chosen, selection, A-list, aristocracy, best, corps d'elite, cream and crème de la crème.

What is the opposite of "Pick"?

Antonyms of "Pick" include decline, refuse, reject and turn down. Near antonyms include commoners, herd, hoi polloi and masses.

How do you use "Pick" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pick" in a sentence: "that team is my pick to win the Super Bowl"; "the pick of the contestants will go on to the next competition"; "you have first pick of your office mates for the softball team".

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

"Pick" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

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

As an A2-level word, "Pick" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Pick"?

"Pick" is pronounced /ˈpik/.