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select

select

3 3.7
Very good quality and better than most others
  • adjective
  • /sɪˈlɛkt/
  • Formal
: selecto
  • Only a select few passed the rigorous qualification process to join the elite club.

It's now available on digital and in select theaters.

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Examples

  • The exhibition features works from a select group of renowned artists.

  • Of all the people who could have come here, we are the select few who were chosen.

  • There is a very small, very select group of people out there who want that.

  • Now, we only sell to the best select clients.

  • May I mention, our wealth management advisors would be more than happy to discuss our select investment opportunities.

  • It is a very, very select group, you understand?

  • By keeping the rents high, we're going to appeal to a select class of people.

  • "The roses available for purchase were described as 'select': the nursery claimed it cultivated 'only flowers of the first class.'"

    Academic text (2015)
  • ...I was dining one evening at the Savoy with a rather select group of people... ...and sitting next to me was a very beautiful lady, much like yourself.

  • Rachel Gorman had a delicious, gourmet meal for those select half dozen she always invited to stay after her cocktail parties.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

great
vsselect
∞ 1.0

Very good or excellent in quality

is used for items singled out for particular excellence rather than general approval
best
vsselect
∞ 1.0

Of the highest quality or most suitable in a situation

is used for things singled out as especially fine rather than only ranked high
fine
vsselect
∞ 1.0

Very good in quality, appearance, or skill

is applied to items singled out for overall excellence rather than only for elegance
excellent
vsselect
∞ 1.0

Very good and better than most similar things

is used for items singled out for particular excellence rather than general high quality
prime
vsselect
∞ 3.8

Of the best quality and most important

is used for things singled out for special excellence rather than only general importance
quality
vsselect
382 3.5

Made well so it lasts a long time

is applied when things are singled out for particular excellence rather than general grade
outstanding
vsselect
241 3.4

Much better than most others in skill or quality

is used for items singled out for fine quality rather than only for being striking
superior
vsselect
237 4.2

Better in quality or performance than similar things

is used for items singled out for being especially fine rather than only comparatively better
first-class
vsselect
209 3.4

Of the highest quality and very good

is used for items singled out for quality rather than only for premium status
high-quality
vsselect
154 2.7

Very good and done with care

is used for things picked out for being especially fine rather than only well made
superb
vsselect
111 3.5

Of very high quality and extremely good

is used for things singled out for being especially fine rather than just very good
mean
vsselect
  • Slang
71 7.5

Very good and impressive at a skill

is used in neutral contexts to name things picked out for particular high quality
top notch
vsselect
  • Informal
51 3.6

Of the highest quality and better than most similar things

is used for items singled out for special excellence rather than for simple praise
first-rate
vsselect
45 3.8

Very high quality or done very well

is used for things singled out for specific quality rather than for mere high standing
top of the line
vsselect
38 3.9

A product that has very high quality and is often the most expensive option

is used for items picked out for exceptional quality rather than for model rank
choice
vsselect
37 5.1

Very good and carefully chosen

is used for things singled out for very high quality rather than just good
top-notch
vsselect
36 4.4

Very high quality and among the best

is used for things picked out for being especially fine not merely highly rated
tops
vsselect
  • Informal
21 7.8

Very good and the best in quality

is used formally to indicate items picked for superior quality rather than casual praise
high-grade
vsselect
19 3.9

Of very good quality for important uses

is used for items singled out for exceptional quality rather than merely higher standard
prize
vsselect
18 3.7

Of very high quality and often the best in a contest

is used for things singled out for very high quality without formal awards
top-quality
vsselect
14 3.8

Very high quality and lasts a long time

is used for items picked out for being especially fine rather than only well made
top-flight
vsselect
8 6.2

Of very high quality and among the best in its field

is used for things singled out for special excellence rather than overall reputation
superlative
vsselect
8 4.6

Of the highest quality

is used for things singled out for exceptional quality rather than pure degree
well-chosen
vsselect
6 4.1

Carefully picked to suit a situation or purpose

is used for items singled out mainly for their very high quality not only fit
top-grade
vsselect
4 3.7

Of the highest quality, better than others like it

is used for things singled out for exceptional quality not merely high grading

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Happening often or seen in many places

70 3.7

Not as good in quality as something else

Compounds

24 4.4

A group of members of parliament who study a particular issue

How Good

superb
111 3.5
excellent
∞ 1.0
select
  • Formal
3 3.7
fine
∞ 1.0
good
∞ 1.0
ordinary
681 1.0

Surface Forms

select positive

Etymology

A helpful way to remember select is to think of it as 'chosen for being the best'; it shares the same root as elect, both meaning 'choose', so select often describes things picked for high quality.