pick out

To choose someone or something from a group or range of choices.

• Pick out a book you like.
• She picked out a blue dress for the party.
• Have you picked your birthday present out yet?

How to use it: pick something out for someone (I picked out a book for my brother.)

Similar words: choose, select, pick

Common phrases: pick out a dress, pick out a gift, pick out someone

To recognize a particular person or thing among others, even when this is difficult.

• I picked him out in the crowd.
• Can you pick out your house in this photograph?
• She could barely pick out his voice above the traffic.

How to use it: pick someone/something out in/from something (I picked her out in the crowd.)

Similar words: identify, recognize, distinguish

Common phrases: pick out a face, pick out someone, pick out a sound, pick out a flavour

To remove small things from something, usually with your fingers.

• Pick out the fish bones.
• She picked tiny pieces of glass out of her sleeve.
• Have you picked all the seeds out?

How to use it: pick something out of something (Pick the small stones out of the rice.)

Similar words: remove, extract

Common phrases: pick out the bones, pick out small stones

To play a tune slowly, finding the notes as you go.

• She picked out a tune on the piano.
• I can pick out the melody if you sing it again.
• He was picking out the notes with one finger.

How to use it: pick out something on an instrument (He picked out a simple tune on the piano.)

Common phrases: pick out a tune, pick out a melody

To paint small details in a different colour so that they stand out.

• Pick out the edges in white.
• The artist picked out the carved leaves in pale green.
• The door’s lettering was picked out in gold.

How to use it: pick something out in a colour (They picked the carved flowers out in gold.)

Similar words: highlight, accent

Common phrases: pick out the details, pick out in gold