handpick

verb

hand·​pick ˈhan(d)-ˈpik How to pronounce handpick (audio)
handpicked; handpicking; handpicks

transitive verb

1
: to pick by hand as opposed to a machine process
2
: to select personally or for personal ends

Examples of handpick in a Sentence

They run a farm where you can handpick fresh strawberries. a box of handpicked strawberries The executive handpicked her successor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Contributing: Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 14 July 2025 Shopping tips: How to stay updated on the best Prime Day deals USA TODAY Shopping will be covering all the July Prime Day deals, plus the best post-Prime Day savings, so stay tuned: Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 1 July 2025 The problem is worsened by the broken and outmoded state of the Oscars’ Best International Feature category, which lets foreign governments handpick their own submissions and launder their public images. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for handpick

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handpick was in 1831

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handpick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handpick. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

handpick

verb
hand·​pick ˈhan(d)-ˈpik How to pronounce handpick (audio)
: to select personally
a handpicked successor

More from Merriam-Webster on handpick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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