# select

/səˈɫɛkt/ (US) · /sɪlˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/select
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to choose

verb · CEFR B1 · General-service

to choose someone or something from a group, often after careful thought.

For teachers: to choose from a number of options or alternatives, typically based on specific criteria.

- You can select the best photos from the trip and print them for the album.
- The committee will select the most qualified candidate after reviewing the final round of interviews and portfolio submissions.

Usage: Often used in formal contexts where 'choose' might feel too casual.

### 2. computing

verb · CEFR B1 · Technical

to click on something on a computer screen so that you can work with it.

For teachers: to highlight or mark a specific area of text, an icon, or a data set for a subsequent operation.

- Use your mouse to select the text you want to copy.
- The user must select the relevant rows in the spreadsheet before applying the formatting macro to the data set.

Usage: Commonly used with 'deselect' as its direct opposite in software interfaces.

### 3. high quality or exclusive

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

describes a small group of people or things that are the best of their kind.

For teachers: carefully chosen as being the best or most suitable; often implies exclusivity or high social status.

- The club is only open to a select group of members.
- The boutique offers a select range of hand-crafted leather goods sourced from small workshops across Tuscany.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

### 4. controller button

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a button on a game controller used to choose options or open menus.

For teachers: a specific functional button on a digital input device, traditionally used for navigation or secondary menu activation.

- Press the select button to change your character's outfit in the game.
- The classic controller layout features a select button positioned to the left of the start button for easy thumb access.

## Examples

- Please select the best option from the list.
- To change the font size, you must first select the text you wish to modify using the cursor.
- The algorithm is designed to select candidates whose profiles align most closely with the company's core values while filtering out those with insufficient technical experience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.