How Do You Spell PICKED UP?

Pronunciation: [pˈɪkt ˈʌp] (IPA)

The spelling of the two-word phrase "picked up" follows standard English rules for verb conjugations in the past tense. The base form of the verb is "pick up," and adding the suffix "-ed" creates the past tense form. In IPA phonetic transcription, "picked up" is pronounced as /pɪkt ʌp/, with the stress on the first syllable of "picked." This word is commonly used to describe the action of physically lifting or taking something, such as picking up a book off of a table.

PICKED UP Meaning and Definition

1. Picked up is a phrasal verb that can be used in multiple contexts and has various meanings depending on the situation.

   One common meaning of picked up is to physically lift or raise something from a lower position. This can refer to objects like books, clothes, or toys that are retrieved from the ground or a surface. For example, "She picked up the pencil that had fallen on the floor."

   Another meaning of picked up is to collect or gather someone from a particular location, typically in a vehicle. For instance, if a friend offers to give you a ride, you might say, "Can you pick me up at the train station?"

   Picked up can also refer to learning or acquiring new knowledge or skills. It can describe the act of grasping or understanding a concept or idea. For instance, if a student quickly comprehends a difficult subject, you might say, "She picked up the subject very fast."

   Furthermore, picked up can also relate to improving or recovering from a setback or illness. Someone who is ill may be described as "picking up" if their health is getting better. Similarly, if a business improves after a decline, it can be said to have "picked up."

   Overall, picked up is a versatile phrase that encompasses several different meanings related to physical actions, learning, and improvement.

Common Misspellings for PICKED UP

• pickedup

Etymology of PICKED UP

The word "picked up" is a phrasal verb formed by combining the verb "pick" with the preposition "up".

The verb "pick" dates back to the 14th century, derived from the Middle English word "piken", which meant to prick or pierce. This word likely comes from Old English "pician", meaning to prick or puncture. Over time, the meaning of "pick" expanded to include selecting or taking something with care.

The preposition "up" has a long history, originating from Old English "upp" and earlier Germanic languages. It denotes movement to a higher position, lifting, or recovery of an object.

When "pick" and "up" are combined to form "picked up", the resulting phrase generally means to lift or take something from a lower position, or to acquire something that was previously discarded or abandoned.