verb “pick”
pick; he picks; past picked, part. picked; ger. picking
- to choose from a range of options
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After looking at all the puppies, she picked the smallest one to take home.
- to remove a fruit or vegetable from its plant for eating
Every autumn, we go to the orchard to pick apples for homemade pies.
- to grasp and pull with the fingers
If you pick at the scab, you are going to hurt yourself again.
- to detach or remove by pulling
The child picked the petals off the daisy one by one.
- to remove something from a place using a sharp tool
After eating the corn on the cob, she used a toothpick to pick out the kernels stuck between her teeth.
- to identify the type of delivery in cricket
The batsman failed to pick the spinner's arm ball and was caught off guard when it didn't turn.
- to play a musical instrument by plucking strings
She gently picked the strings of her guitar, filling the room with a soft melody.
- to unlock without a key using a tool
After watching several tutorials online, Mia managed to pick the lock on her old diary with a paperclip.
noun “pick”
sg. pick, pl. picks or uncountable
- a digging tool with a pointed end
He swung the pick into the hard soil to break it up for planting.
- a hammer with a pointed end for shaping stones
The miller carefully wielded his pick to sharpen the grooves on the aging millstone.
- a tool for opening locks without the original key
The burglar used a pick to quietly unlock the back door and slip inside the house.
- a comb with spaced teeth for curly hair
After washing her hair, Tanya reached for her pick to gently detangle her tight curls.
- a tool for playing the strings of a guitar
She lost her guitar pick in the middle of the concert and had to strum with her fingers instead.
- the act of choosing or the right to choose
When it comes to dessert, you have your pick of either the chocolate cake or the apple pie.
- the most desirable option or item
Out of all the puppies, the one with the floppy ears was the family's pick for their new pet.
- a basketball maneuver to block an opponent
During the game, Mike set a solid pick for his teammate, allowing him to get open for a shot.
- a lacrosse strategy to obstruct a defender
During the lacrosse game, Mike set a solid pick that allowed Sarah to get open and score a goal.
- an interception in American football
The quarterback threw a pass that was easily read by the defender, resulting in a crucial pick that turned the game around.
- a skilled defensive action by an infielder in baseball
The shortstop made an impressive pick, snagging the ground ball with a swift backhand before throwing to first for the out.
- a play in baseball where a runner is caught off base
The pitcher caught the runner off first base with a quick pick.