Pick Meaning
Pick Definition & Usage
To select something or someone from a group or collection.
Examples
- "She picked the blue dress for the party."
- "Can you pick up some milk on your way home?"
- "I picked the best player for the team."
- "They picked a new leader at the meeting."
- "I couldn't decide which movie to pick for our date."
To gather or harvest something, especially by hand.
Examples
- "We picked apples from the orchard all afternoon."
- "She picked flowers from the garden."
- "The children picked berries by the river."
- "He picked some fresh herbs for the recipe."
- "I used to pick strawberries in the summer when I was young."
To remove something, especially from a larger whole, by pulling or pinching.
Examples
- "He picked the weeds from the garden."
- "I had to pick a splinter out of my finger."
- "She picked the lint from her sweater."
- "He picked his teeth with a toothpick after dinner."
- "The children picked their noses when they were bored."
To tap or strike something lightly, often with the fingers or a tool.
Examples
- "She picked at the piano keys, trying to play a tune."
- "He picked at the surface of the water with a stick."
- "The bird picked at the crumbs on the ground."
- "He picked the lock on the door with a hairpin."
- "She picked nervously at her nails during the interview."
To choose someone or something in a manner that may involve randomness or a competitive context, such as in games or sports.
Examples
- "The coach picked his best players for the tournament."
- "They picked teams for the game, and I was chosen last."
- "I picked the shortest straw, so I had to go first."
- "The committee picked him for the award due to his outstanding contributions."
- "She picked a number from the hat to determine the winner."
Cultural Context
The word 'pick' has a long history, originating from Old English, and it has retained a wide range of meanings over time. It is a highly versatile verb that can be used in many contexts, from casual decision-making to more specific actions like gathering or choosing items.
The Great Orchard Harvest
Story
The Great Orchard Harvest
It was a crisp autumn morning when Sarah and her family arrived at the orchard. They were ready to pick apples, as they had done every year. Her mother smiled as she handed Sarah a basket. 'You know the drill, pick the best ones!' she said with a wink. Sarah wandered through the rows of trees, feeling the cool breeze. The apples were ripe and red, hanging low on the branches. She reached up and picked one with a swift motion. The fruit was warm from the sun, and its sweet scent filled the air. 'This one's perfect!' Sarah thought, placing it gently in her basket. Her brother, Mark, was also picking apples but seemed distracted. 'Sarah, pick me some apples, will you?' he asked, half-heartedly. Sarah rolled her eyes. 'You know how to pick apples, too,' she said, tossing him a perfectly round fruit. They continued to pick apples for hours, occasionally stopping for a snack or a quick game of tag. At the end of the day, their baskets were full, and they had picked more apples than they knew what to do with. As they walked back to the car, Sarah's father smiled and said, 'I think we picked the best apples this year.' The journey back was filled with chatter about what to do with their harvest. 'I think I'll pick a few apples for pie,' Sarah's mother suggested. 'And I'll pick a recipe for cider,' her father replied. They all laughed, but Sarah couldn't help but feel proud of how well they'd picked their apples. The day had been full of choice, whether it was picking the right apples, picking jokes, or picking a way to spend the rest of the evening.
Related Words
