Ask Difference

Elect vs. Select — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Elect means to choose someone for a specific role or office by voting, while select means to choose from a number of possibilities; selection doesn't necessarily involve voting.
Elect vs. Select — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Elect and Select

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

Elect and select are both verbs that revolve around the action of choosing. However, to elect typically implies a formal decision-making process, often involving voting, to fill a particular position or office. On the other hand, to select represents a broader action of picking or choosing from among multiple options, not confined to official positions.
When people elect, they are often participating in a democratic process, like electing a president or a mayor. It's about choosing a person (or sometimes a proposal) based on majority preference. In contrast, when people select, it can be a personal, informal choice, such as selecting a dress to wear or a dish to order.
The term elect also has connotations in religious contexts. For instance, in theology, the "elect" can refer to individuals predestined by divine will for salvation. Select doesn't share this religious connotation. Instead, it can pertain to things of higher quality or things chosen because of their distinctiveness or superiority.
In usage, elect is more definitive. Once someone is elected, the decision is final, barring any extraordinary circumstances. Select, however, might involve a process of comparison and reconsideration. After selecting something, one might de-select it in favor of another choice.
To illustrate, consider this: A country may elect its leader through a voting process, ensuring that the person holds office for a specified term. In contrast, an individual might select a book to read for the evening, but halfway through, choose to select a different one.
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Process

Often involves voting
Doesn't necessarily involve voting

Usage

Formal decision-making for positions
General act of choosing

Connotations

Can have religious implications
Indicates quality or distinction

Finality

More definitive and final
Might involve reconsideration

Contextual Application

Primarily associated with official roles and offices
Broadly applied to various scenarios

Compare with Definitions

Elect

Predestined for salvation in theological terms.
Some believe in the concept of the elect in religious doctrines.

Select

Carefully chosen as being the best or most valuable.
She is a member of a select group of scientists.

Elect

To select by divine will for salvation. Used of God.

Select

Of special quality or value; exclusive.
They were invited to a select event.

Elect

Chosen but not yet inducted into office.
The president-elect will take the oath next week.

Select

To use a tool or feature to highlight or choose a digital element.
Click and drag to select multiple files.

Elect

Outstanding or superior.
She is an elect scholar in her field.

Select

To choose from a number of possibilities.
He had to select one dessert from the menu.

Elect

To select by vote for an office or for membership
Elected her club president.

Select

To pick out or designate for a particular role or purpose.
The coach will select the team's captain today.

Elect

To pick out; select
Elect an art course.

Select

To take as a choice from among several; pick out
We selected the ripest pears at the orchard. The winning ticket was selected at random.

Elect

To decide, especially by preference
Elected to take the summer off.

Select

To make a choice or selection
The menu offered numerous dishes to select from.

Elect

Chosen deliberately; singled out
An elect group of advisers.

Select

Singled out in preference; chosen
A select few.

Elect

Elected but not yet installed. Often used in combination
The governor-elect.

Select

Of special quality or value; choice
Select peaches.

Elect

Chosen for marriage. Often used in combination
The bride-elect.

Select

Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef that has less marbling than choice or prime cuts.

Elect

Selected by divine will for salvation.

Select

Careful or refined in making selections; discriminating.

Elect

One that is chosen or selected.

Select

One that is chosen in preference to others or because of special value.

Elect

One selected by divine will for salvation.

Select

(used with a pl. verb) Chosen or preferred items or people considered as a group. Often used with the.

Elect

(used with a pl. verb) An exclusive group of people. Used with the
One of the elect who have power inside the government.

Select

Privileged, specially selected.
Only a select few were allowed into the premiere.

Elect

One chosen or set apart.

Select

Of high quality; top-notch.
This is a select cut of beef.

Elect

(theology) In Calvinist theology, one foreordained to Heaven. In other Christian theologies, someone chosen by God for salvation.

Select

To choose one or more elements of a set, especially a set of options.
He looked over the menu, and selected the roast beef.
The program computes all the students' grades, then selects a random sample for human verification.

Elect

(transitive) To choose or make a decision (to do something)

Select

(databases) To obtain a set of data from a database using a query.

Elect

(transitive) To choose (a candidate) in an election

Select

Taken from a number by preferance; picked out as more valuable or exellent than others; of special value or exellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice.
A few select spirits had separated from the crowd, and formed a fit audience round a far greater teacher.

Elect

(postpositive) Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.
He is the President elect.

Select

To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal.
The pious chief . . . A hundred youths from all his train selects.

Elect

Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.

Select

Pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives;
Take any one of these cards
Choose a good husband for your daughter
She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her

Elect

Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.

Select

Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches

Elect

Chosen as the object of mercy or divine favor; set apart to eternal life.

Select

Selected or chosen for special qualifications;
The blue-ribbon event of the season

Elect

Chosen to an office, but not yet actually inducted into it; as, bishop elect; governor or mayor elect.

Elect

One chosen or set apart.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.

Elect

Those who are chosen for salvation.
Shall not God avenge his won elect?

Elect

To pick out; to select; to choose.
The deputy elected by the Lord.

Elect

To select or take for an office; to select by vote; as, to elect a representative, a president, or a governor.

Elect

To designate, choose, or select, as an object of mercy or favor.

Elect

An exclusive group of people;
One of the elect who have power inside the government

Elect

Select by a vote for an office or membership;
We elected him chairman of the board

Elect

Choose;
I elected to have my funds deposited automatically

Elect

Selected as the best;
An elect circle of artists
Elite colleges

Elect

Elected but not yet installed in office;
The president elect

Elect

To choose someone for a role or office through voting.
The nation will elect its new president next month.

Elect

To decide on or make a choice.
They elected to go by train instead of driving.

Common Curiosities

Is elect only used in political contexts?

Mostly, but not solely. Elect can also refer to choices in general and has theological connotations in some contexts.

Is the term "select" always about choosing the best?

Not necessarily, but it can imply a choice based on quality or distinction.

Does selecting always mean finalizing a choice?

No, after selecting, one might reconsider and choose differently.

What does "president-elect" mean?

It refers to someone who has been elected president but hasn't assumed office yet.

Can both elect and select be used interchangeably?

Not always. While both refer to choosing, elect often implies formal choice through voting, whereas select has broader applications.

Can objects be elected?

Typically, objects aren't elected. People are elected to positions, while objects are selected.

Do all elections result in someone being elected?

In most cases, yes, but there might be exceptions, like if a vote is inconclusive.

Can you select someone for a job without electing them?

Yes, selecting someone doesn't always require a voting process.

Is "elect" related to "elite"?

Both words have origins in the Latin "eligere," which means "to choose," but they have different connotations in English.

Does every election involve a majority?

Not necessarily. Some elections might be based on other criteria, like a plurality.

Are the terms "elect" and "select" exclusive to the English language?

The concepts exist in many languages, but the specific terms and their nuances are particular to English.

Can both words be used as adjectives?

Yes, like "elect official" or "select group."

Can I say "select a president"?

While it's grammatically correct, the usual term in political contexts is "elect a president."

Is selecting always a deliberate act?

Typically, yes. Selecting implies a conscious choice.

Can you "deselect" after electing?

In formal elections, no. But in broader senses of choosing, you might change your choice.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Uptick vs. Uptake

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms