Pronunciation: [pˈɪkt] (IPA) 
The word "picked" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription / pɪkt /, which represents the sound of the word. The "p" sound is pronounced with the lips, the "ɪ" sound is a short vowel sound, and the "k" sound is pronounced at the back of the mouth. The final "ed" is pronounced with a "t" sound as in "tapped" or "kissed" since the final sound in "picked" is an unvoiced sound ("/k/"), making it an unvoiced consonant.
Picked can be used as a past tense verb or an adjective, and it has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
As a verb, picked refers to the act of selecting, choosing, or gathering something. It often implies a careful or deliberate selection process. For example, one might say, "She picked the red roses from the garden," indicating that she deliberately chose those specific flowers.
Picked can also mean to remove something by plucking or grasping with fingers or a tool. This usage is common when referring to fruits, vegetables, or other objects that can be physically removed. For instance, "He picked the apples from the tree," signifies that he physically removed the apples from their branches.
As an adjective, picked describes something that has been carefully or selectively chosen, or is of superior quality. For example, "She wore her best attire, a picked outfit for the occasion," implies that she chose an outfit carefully for the specific event.
In informal slang, picked can have the additional meaning of being physically harmed or attacked. This usage is often found in phrases like "getting picked on" or "getting picked off," which refer to being targeted or singled out for negative treatment or harm.
Overall, the multifaceted nature of the term picked means it can encompass a range of actions and qualities, from selecting and removing to deliberate choosing or superior quality.
Plucked off by the fingers; cleaned by separating with the fingers; opened by an instrument; carefully selected, as picked men.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "picked" originated from the Old English word "gepyccan", which means "to pick out or pluck". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "pukkōną". Over time, the word "picked" evolved in Middle English and has since retained its meaning of selecting or choosing something carefully.
