Synonyms: pilfer, rob

Synonyms: collect, reap

1. to pluck (the strings of an instrument).
2. to play (a stringed instrument) by plucking with the fingers.

1. a speck of dirt, hardened ink, or extra metal on set type or a plate.
2. a small area removed from the surface of a coated paper by ink that adheres to the form.

1. Informal. to criticize or blame; tease; harass.
2. to single out; choose:

   The professor always picks on me to translate long passages.

1. become aware or cognizant of; be perceptive about; notice:

   to pick up on the hostess's hostility.

2. to pay special attention to; keep an eye on:

   to pick up on a troubled student.

1. to choose; designate:

   to pick out one's successor.

2. to distinguish from that which surrounds or accompanies; recognize:

   to pick out a well-known face in a crowd.

3. to discern (sense or meaning); discriminate.
4. to play (a melody) by ear; work out note by note.
5. to extract by picking.

1. to lift or take up:

   to pick up a stone.

2. to collect, especially in an orderly manner:

   Pick up the tools when you're finished.

3. to recover (one's courage, health, etc.); regain.
4. to gain by occasional opportunity; obtain casually:

   to pick up a livelihood.

5. to learn, as by experience:

   I've picked up a few Japanese phrases.

6. to claim:

   to pick up one's bags at an airport.

7. to take (a person or thing) into a car or ship, etc., or along with one.
8. to bring into range of reception, observation, etc.:

   to pick up Rome on one's radio.

9. to accelerate; gain (speed).
10. to put in good order; tidy:

    to pick up a room.

11. to make progress; improve:

    Business is beginning to pick up.

12. to catch or contract, as a disease.
13. Informal. to become acquainted with informally or casually, often in hope of a sexual relationship:

    Let's pick up some dates tonight.

14. to resume or continue after being left off:

    Let's pick up the discussion in our next meeting.

15. Informal. to take into custody; arrest:

    They picked him up for vagrancy.

16. Informal. to obtain; find; purchase:

    She picked up some nice shoes on sale.

17. Slang. to steal:

    to pick up jewels and silver.

18. to accept, as in order to pay:

    to pick up the check.

1. to remove by pulling or plucking off.
2. to single out and shoot:

   The hunter picked off a duck rising from the marsh.

3. Baseball. to put out (a base runner) in a pick-off play.

1. to find fault with unnecessarily or persistently; nag.
2. to eat sparingly or daintily:

   As he was ill, he only picked at his food.

3. to grasp at; touch; handle:

   The baby loved to pick at her mother's glasses.