Words / A2

PIK/pɪk/

To pick is to choose, or to take something with your fingers: pick a colour, pick flowers, pick the best one. Pick up means lift from the floor or collect a person: pick up the kids from school. Choose is a close synonym for the choice meaning. Pick on someone means treat them unfairly — a different phrasal verb. Do not say “pick up a colour” when you only mean choose.

Meaning

To choose something, or to take something with your fingers.

Examples

• “Pick a colour for the poster.”
• “You can pick any seat you like.”
• “She picked some herbs from the garden.”

Good to know

pick = choose / take with fingers. pick up = lift or collect. Close: choose.

Near in meaning

choose

New