How to pronounce select
Say it like suh-LEKT. Select has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce select. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- LEKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Select pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of select
American and British speakers say select in essentially the same way: /səˈlɛkt/ in the US and /sɪˈlɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: sih-LEKT.
What does select mean?
- pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives“Take any one of these cards”“Choose a good husband for your daughter”
- of superior grade“choice wines”“prime beef”
- selected or chosen for special qualifications“the blue-ribbon event of the season”
Where does select come from?
From Latin sēlēctus, perfect passive participle of sēligō (“choose out, select”), from sē- (“without; apart”) + legō (“gather, select”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with select
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of select.
Questions about saying select
How do you pronounce select?
Say suh-LEKT. The American pronunciation is /səˈlɛkt/. In British English it is /sɪˈlɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in select?
Select has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEKT). Broken into parts: suh · LEKT.
Do Americans and Brits say select the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈlɛkt/ and the British form is /sɪˈlɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.