Definition of ELECT

elect

Plural: elect, elects

Noun

  • an exclusive group of people
    • "one of the elect who have power inside the government"
  • One chosen or set apart.
  • In Calvinist theology, one foreordained to Heaven. In other Christian theologies, someone chosen by God for salvation.

Verb

Verb Forms: elected, electing, elects

  • To choose someone by voting, often for an office.
  • select by a vote for an office or membership
    • "We elected him chairman of the board"
  • choose
    • "I elected to have my funds deposited automatically"
  • To choose or make a decision (to do something)
  • To choose (a candidate) in an election

Adjective Satellite

  • selected as the best
    • "an elect circle of artists"
  • elected but not yet installed in office
    • "the president elect"

Adj

  • Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.
  • Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.

Examples

  • He had to elect the best word from his rack, weighing points against strategic placement.
  • He is the President elect.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ēlēctus, past participle of ēligō (“to pick out, choose, elect”), from ē- (“out”) + legō (“to pick out, pick, gather, collect, etc.”); see legend.
Cognate to eclectic, which is via Ancient Greek rather than Latin, hence prefix ἐκ (ek), rather than e- (from ex).

Synonyms

chosen, elite

Antonyms

reprobate

Scrabble Score: 7

elect: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
elect: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
elect: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

elect: valid Words With Friends Word