pick
Third Person
picks
Present Participle
picking
Past Tense
picked
Past Participle
picked
1
to choose someone or something out of a group of people or things
transitive
- She carefully picked a ripe apple from the tree.
- The team captain will pick players for the upcoming match.
- Let's pick a movie to watch from the available options.
- The customer took time to pick the right pair of shoes from the display.
- Can you help me pick the best color for the living room walls?
2
to take a flower or fruit from its plant with our fingers
transitive
- As a child, I used to pick wild raspberries in the forest behind our house.
- Be careful when you pick the pears; they bruise easily.
- During the summer, we pick fresh mint leaves for our iced tea.
- Please pick some basil from the pot for the pasta sauce.
- We usually pick peaches early in the morning when the air is still cool.
3
to peck at or gather small bits of food, especially grains
transitive
- The sparrow picked seeds from the feeder, one by one.
- The pigeon picked breadcrumbs off the pavement in the park.
- The crow picked morsels of food from the farmer’s field.
- The hens picked insects and small seeds from the soil.
- The robin picked berries from the bush with its sharp beak.
4
to gather or harvest berries, flowers, or similar items where they grow
- We love to go out and pick during strawberry season.
- They went out early to pick before the sun got too hot.
- He often picks in the orchard during the harvest season.
- She prefers to pick in the forest where the mushrooms are abundant.
- We saw a group of workers picking along the hillside.
5
to intentionally cause or start a conflict, argument, or confrontation
transitive
- He always tries to pick a fight over the smallest disagreements.
- They picked a quarrel with their neighbors over the property line.
- She picked a fight with her coworker over a trivial mistake.
- She picked an argument with her brother just to get his attention.
- The kids picked a scuffle over who got to play first.
6
to remove or separate something bit by bit using the fingers
transitive
- She picked the meat from the chicken bones, one piece at a time.
- He picked the seeds out of the watermelon carefully.
- She picked the petals from the flower, making a bouquet.
- He picked the stitches out of the fabric, carefully unraveling the seam.
7
to clean or ready food by removing unwanted or inedible parts
transitive
- She carefully picked the feathers from the chicken before cooking it.
- The chef picked the stems and leaves from the strawberries before plating them.
- She picked the stems off the cherries before adding them to the pie.
- She picked the husks off the corn before boiling it.
- The family gathered to pick the seeds and skins from the grapes for winemaking.
Synonyms:
8
to use a pointed tool or instrument to pierce, dig into, or break apart a hard surface
transitive
- He picked the frozen ground with his tool to plant the stakes.
- The worker picked the asphalt to remove the damaged section of the road.
- He picked the ice off the driveway with a sturdy pick to prevent slipping.
- They picked the rocky terrain to create a clear path for the trail.
- The climber picked the icy surface to create secure footholds.
Synonyms:
9
to secretly take items from someone’s pocket, purse, or belongings without their knowledge
transitive
- The thief picked the tourist’s wallet in the crowded market.
- He was caught trying to pick a customer’s purse in the store.
- The teenager was warned about the dangers of people picking pockets at festivals.
- The thief picked the tourist's pocket while they were distracted by the street performer.
- A gang of thieves was arrested for picking purses at the festival.
10
to eat in small, careful, or reluctant amounts
- She picked at her salad, barely finishing a few bites.
- He picked at his dinner, clearly not in the mood to eat.
- After the argument, she picked at her meal, lost in thought.
- He picked at the sandwich, leaving most of it uneaten.
- The bird picked at the crumbs on the table, taking tiny bites.