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pick out

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To choose one thing from many, or to notice and identify something.

Literal meaning: To pick (select) out (from a group).

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To choose or select something from a group of options.

"Can you help me pick out a birthday present for my mother?"

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To identify or recognise someone or something among others.

"The witness was unable to pick out the suspect in the identity parade."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 neutral

To notice or identify a specific detail, feature, or theme in something.

"The professor asked the students to pick out the main argument in each paragraph."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

One of the most common and versatile phrasal verbs. Used in shopping, identification, and analysis contexts. Can refer to choosing a physical item, identifying a person in a crowd, or noticing a detail in writing or speech. Common in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

outfit gift detail suspect flaw feature

Forms

Base
pick out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks out
he/she/it
Past simple
picked out
yesterday
Past participle
picked out
have + pp
-ing form
picking out
continuous

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Synonyms

select choose identify single out spot distinguish

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