picked
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
An inflected form of pick · past form.
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,569 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 11,640 times across 175,112 chapters — 0.006% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- select carefully from a group She finally picked her successorHe picked his way carefully
- look for and gather also: pluck, cull pick mushroomspick flowers
- harass with constant criticism also: blame, find fault Don't always pick on your little brother
- provoke pick a fight or a quarrel
- remove in small bits pick meat from a bone
- remove unwanted substances from, such as feathers or pits also: clean Clean the turkey
picked in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He picked at the fringe of the window curtain.
The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1
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All were picked men, hardy and experienced, and for the most part young.
Under Drake's Flag · G. A. (George Alfred) Henty · Chapter 1
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They picked their way around the edge of the pond to the site of the new mill.
The Riverman · Stewart Edward White · Chapter 1
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The youth climbed up the tree, and picked some of the beautiful golden apples, which he ate for his supper.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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I picked up her handkerchief when she dropped it; and, above all, I looked for her snuff-box, which she was continually mislaying.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1