select

/səˈlɛkt/

/səˈlɛkt/

Other forms: selected; selecting; selects; selectly

To select something means to choose it from among others. If you select the most expensive phone, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be happy with what you get.

You can use select as an adjective as well as a verb. It means "specially chosen" or "of superior quality." For instance, you might be one of the select few who know how to really appreciate a game of Tetris, or you might want to choose a wine from a select list of Spanish reds. All of this assumes that if you select one thing, you feel that it's better than all the other choices.

Definitions of select

1. verb

   pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
   “She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her”

   synonyms: choose, pick out, take

   types:

   empanel, impanel, panel

   select from a list

   anoint

   choose by or as if by divine intervention

   field

   select (a team or individual player) for a game

   sieve, sift

   distinguish and separate out

   draw

   select or take in from a given group or region

   dial

   choose by means of a dial

   go, plump

   give support (to) or make a choice (of) one out of a group or number

   pick

   select carefully from a group

   elect

   choose

   excerpt, extract, take out

   take out of a literary work in order to cite or copy

   cull out, winnow

   select desirable parts from a group or list

   cream off, skim off

   pick the best

   pick over, sieve out

   separate or remove

   assign, set apart, specify

   select something or someone for a specific purpose

   single out

   select from a group

   think of

   choose in one's mind

   define, determine, fix, limit, set, specify

   decide upon or fix definitely

   adopt, espouse, follow

   choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

   screen, screen out, sieve, sort

   examine in order to test suitability

   vote in

   elect in a voting process

   elect

   select by a vote for an office or membership

   nominate, propose

   put forward; nominate for appointment to an office or for an honor or position

   vote

   express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote

   quantify

   use as a quantifier

   hand-pick

   pick personally and very carefully

   dedicate

   set apart to sacred uses with solemn rites, of a church

   detail

   assign to a specific task

   nominate, put forward, put up

   propose as a candidate for some honor

   name

   mention and identify by name

   reset

   set anew

   define

   give a definition for the meaning of a word

   co-opt

   choose or elect as a fellow member or colleague

   reelect, return

   elect again

   write in

   cast a vote by inserting a name that does not appear on the ballot

   turn thumbs down, vote down

   vote against

   outvote

   defeat by a majority of votes

   ballot

   vote by ballot

   poll

   vote in an election at a polling station

   adhere, stick

   be a devoted follower or supporter

   type of:

   decide, determine, make up one's mind

   reach, make, or come to a decision about something
2. adjective

   selected or chosen for special qualifications
   synonyms: blue-ribbon

   superior

   of high or superior quality or performance
3. adjective

   of superior grade
   “select peaches”

   synonyms: choice, prime, prize, quality

   superior

   of high or superior quality or performance