elect

To choose someone for an official position by voting.

• We elect a new leader today.
• The council elected him president last year.
• How many representatives will voters elect?

How to use it: elect someone as something (The members elected her as chair.); elect someone to something (Voters elected him to parliament.); elect someone something (The town elected her mayor.)

Similar words: vote in

Common phrases: elect a president, elect someone mayor, elect a leader

To choose to do something after considering the possibilities.

• He elected to leave early.
• Several students elected to take the extra course.
• You may elect to receive payments once a month.

How to use it: elect to do something (She elected to study at home.)

Similar words: choose, decide, opt

Common phrases: elect to stay, elect to participate, elect to withdraw

Chosen by voting for a position but not yet officially doing that job.

• The mayor-elect visited the school.
• Our president-elect has announced her plans.
• The governor-elect will meet the current governor tomorrow.

How to use it: job title + elect (The president-elect will take office in January.)

Similar words: incoming

Common phrases: president elect, mayor elect, governor elect