handpicked

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'handpicked' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or a group of people who have been selected for something because they are seen as the best available option. Example sentence: The mayor handpicked a team of experienced professionals to assist with the town's redevelopment project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take some time to chill with nourishing Goan fare: juices, handpicked tulsi tea and unforgettable papaya jam.

The Guardian - Travel

But Lampitt was handpicked by Ukip headquarters to represent the views of working-class people in the UK, and it appears no checks were made to examine his wider opinions.

The Guardian

When Farage raised the issue during the debate, presenter David Dimbleby said those attending had been handpicked by an independent polling company.

The Guardian

There seems no end to Angela Merkel's troubles: first the Euro crisis and then the completely unexpected resignation of the president, Horst Köhler, a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) official who had been handpicked by the German chancellor in 2004 and who had been expected to play an important role in justifying the belt-tightening in the wake of the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

The former NSW premier was handpicked by the former prime minister Julia Gillard to replace the outgoing senator Mark Arbib when he resigned abruptly in February 2012.

The Guardian

Mr Grayson was handpicked for Mr Bunning's seat by the state's senior senator, Mitch McConnell, who happens also to be the Republican leader in the Senate.

The Economist

The launch of Apple's glitch-ridden mapping service under Tim Cook, Jobs's handpicked successor as chief executive, was bungled.

The Economist

This irked Ahmet Davutoglu, the prime minister, handpicked by Mr Erdogan to succeed him when he switched to the presidency in August.

The Economist

The party leadership screened all candidates for election, and handpicked 40% of them.The opposition Democratic Unity (MUD) alliance, however, is in no position to take advantage of the government's unpopularity.

The Economist

These restated the company's earnings for the past five years and wiped $2.9 billion off its assets.Before the revolving door started turning last year, WMX had a typical friend-of-the-management board, which had been handpicked by the firm's long-time chief executive and co-founder, Dean Buntrock.

The Economist

Peter Mutharika is the brother of Bingu Mutharika, who was Bakili Muluzi's handpicked successor.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handpicked" to emphasize that the selection process was deliberate and careful, often implying a superior quality or suitability as a result.

Common error

While "handpicked" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in extremely formal or academic writing. Opt for synonyms like "carefully selected" or "judiciously chosen" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "handpicked" primarily functions as a verb in the past participle form, often used as an adjective to describe something or someone that has been carefully and deliberately chosen. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and effective. For example, "handpicked candidates" or "handpicked items."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handpicked" is a versatile and frequently used term that functions as a verb (past participle) used as an adjective, meaning carefully and deliberately chosen. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's commonly found in News & Media sources, as well as formal business contexts. When writing, use "handpicked" to emphasize intentional selection. Consider synonyms such as "carefully selected" for a more formal tone, and be mindful of overuse. Overall, "handpicked" is a valuable term for conveying the idea of selective and deliberate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand-selected

An alternative phrasing that carries a similar meaning with a slight variation in word order.

carefully selected

Emphasizes the thoughtfulness and attention to detail in the selection process.

specially chosen

Highlights the unique suitability of the selected item or person for a specific purpose.

custom-picked

Suggests the selection was tailored to meet specific requirements or preferences.

judiciously selected

Implies the use of good judgment and wisdom in the selection process.

picked by experts

Emphasizes the involvement of knowledgeable individuals in the selection.

elite selection

Conveys exclusivity and high quality in the selection process.

curated selection

Suggests a refined and carefully organized collection.

designated

Implies an official or formal selection.

appointed

Highlights the act of being formally chosen for a role or position.

FAQs

How to use "handpicked" in a sentence?

You can use "handpicked" to describe someone or something that has been carefully chosen or selected for a specific purpose. For example, "The manager "handpicked" a team of experienced employees for the project".

What can I say instead of "handpicked"?

You can use alternatives like "carefully selected", "specially chosen", or "custom-picked" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "handpicked team" or "hand pick team"?

"Handpicked team" is correct. "Handpicked" is an adjective describing the team, whereas "hand pick" would be a verb phrase.

What's the difference between "handpicked" and "selected"?

"Selected" generally means chosen from a group, while ""handpicked"" implies a more careful and deliberate selection process, often suggesting a higher quality or specific suitability.