Pick vs. Prick — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 4, 2024
Pick involves selecting or choosing, while prick means to puncture or pierce lightly.
Difference Between Pick and Prick
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Picking refers to the act of selecting or choosing something from a group based on preference, necessity, or suitability. It's a process often associated with decision-making, whether it's picking an item from a menu, a fruit from a tree, or making a choice among various options. On the other hand, pricking is an action that involves piercing or puncturing something with a sharp point. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as making a small hole in fabric with a needle, pricking one's finger on a thorn, or using a pin to burst a bubble.
When you pick something, you're engaging in a cognitive process, evaluating options, and making a choice based on certain criteria. This could be as simple as picking a color for a painting or as complex as picking a candidate for a job. Pricking, however, is a physical action that results in a small hole or mark. It's a tactile process that involves physical contact with the object being pricked, which could be intentional, like pricking fabric to mark a spot, or accidental, like stepping on a sharp object.
The context in which "pick" and "prick" are used also differs significantly. Picking is commonly used in everyday language to describe the act of choosing, often without causing any physical alteration to the object of choice. Pricking, however, implies a physical change, however minor, to the object being pricked, usually involving the creation of a hole or a small puncture.
Materials and tools involved in picking and pricking differ vastly. Picking might not require any specific tools and can be done with bare hands, such as picking apples from a tree. In contrast, pricking usually requires a sharp object like a needle, pin, or thorn. This distinction highlights the physical nature of pricking versus the more abstract process of picking.
The outcome of picking and pricking also varies. Picking results in the selection of an item or choice, which doesn't alter its physical state, whereas pricking alters the physical state of an object by creating a hole or wound. This difference in outcome underscores the fundamentally different natures of these actions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To select or choose from a range of options.
To make a small hole or mark with a sharp point.
Action Type
Cognitive decision-making process.
Physical action resulting in minor alteration.
Context
Often used in everyday language for selection.
Implies a physical change, like a puncture.
Tools Required
No specific tools, can be done with hands.
Requires a sharp object like a needle or pin.
Outcome
Results in a selection without altering physical state.
Alters physical state by creating a hole or wound.
Compare with Definitions
Pick
Associated with a wide range of activities.
Pick a number between one and ten.
Prick
Often accidental but can be intentional for specific purposes.
Prick the balloon to pop it.
Pick
To select or choose something from a group.
She had to pick her favorite flavor from the menu.
Prick
To puncture lightly with a sharp point.
She accidentally pricked her finger while sewing.
Pick
Does not imply alteration of the object.
Pick a card, any card.
Prick
Involves physical change to the object.
The thorn pricked his thumb as he reached for the rose.
Pick
Often used in contexts requiring decision-making.
He picked the best candidate for the job after thorough consideration.
Prick
Results in a small hole or mark.
Prick the potatoes before baking to prevent them from bursting.
Pick
Can be done with bare hands or minimal tools.
They went to pick apples in the orchard.
Prick
Requires a sharp object like a needle or thorn.
Use a pin to prick holes in the paper.
Pick
Detach and remove (a flower, fruit, or vegetable) from where it is growing
I went to pick some flowers for Jenny's room
Prick
Make a small hole in (something) with a sharp point; pierce slightly
Prick the potatoes all over with a fork
Pick
Choose (someone or something) from a number of alternatives
Maggie picked on a nice reliable chap
Maybe I picked the wrong career
He was picked for the England squad
Prick
(especially of a horse or dog) make (the ears) stand erect when on the alert
The dog's ears were pricked
Pick
Repeatedly pull at something with one's fingers
The old woman was picking at the sheet
Prick
A spiked stick used for driving oxen.
Pick
Pluck the strings of (a guitar or banjo)
People were singing and picking guitars
Prick
The act of piercing or pricking.
Pick
An act or the right of selecting something from a number of alternatives
Laura should have first pick
Take your pick from our extensive menu
Prick
The sensation of being pierced or pricked.
Pick
An act of blocking or screening a defensive player from the ball handler.
Prick
A persistent or sharply painful feeling of sorrow or remorse.
Pick
A tool consisting of a long handle set at right angles in the middle of a curved iron or steel bar with a point at one end and a chisel edge or point at the other, used for breaking up hard ground or rock.
Prick
A small, sharp, local pain, such as that made by a needle or bee sting.
Pick
An instrument for picking
An ebony hair pick
Prick
A small mark or puncture made by a pointed object.
Pick
To select from a group
The best swimmer was picked.
Prick
A pointed object, such as an ice pick, goad, or thorn.
Pick
To gather in; harvest
They were picking cotton.
Prick
Chiefly British A hare's track or footprint.
Pick
To gather the harvest from
Picked the field in one day.
Prick
Vulgar Slang A person considered to be mean or contemptible, especially a man.
Pick
To remove the outer covering of; pluck
Pick a chicken clean of feathers.
Prick
To puncture lightly.
Pick
To tear off bit by bit
Pick meat from the bones.
Prick
To make (a hole) by puncturing something.
Pick
To remove extraneous matter from (the teeth, for example).
Prick
To spur (a horse).
Pick
To poke and pull at (something) with the fingers.
Prick
To affect with a mental or emotional pang, as of sorrow or remorse
Criticism that pricked his conscience.
Pick
To break up, separate, or detach by means of a sharp pointed instrument.
Prick
To impel as if with a spur; stimulate or provoke.
Pick
To pierce or make (a hole) with a sharp pointed instrument.
Prick
To mark or delineate on a surface by means of small punctures
Prick a pattern on a board.
Pick
To take up (food) with the beak; peck
The parrot picked its seed.
Prick
To pierce the quick of (a horse's hoof) while shoeing.
Pick
To steal the contents of
My pocket was picked.
Prick
To transplant (seedlings, for example) before final planting.
Pick
To open (a lock) without the use of a key.
Prick
To cause to stand erect or point upward
The dogs pricked their ears.
Pick
To provoke
Pick a fight.
Prick
To pierce or puncture something or cause a pricking feeling.
Pick
To pluck (an instrument's strings).
Prick
To feel a pang or twinge from being pricked.
Pick
To play (an instrument) by plucking its strings.
Prick
To spur a horse on.
Pick
To play (a tune) in this manner
Picked a melody out on the guitar.
Prick
To ride at a gallop.
Pick
To decide with care or forethought.
Prick
To stand erect; point upward
The dog's ears pricked at the noise.
Pick
To work with a pick.
Prick
A small hole or perforation, caused by piercing.
Pick
To find fault or make petty criticisms; carp
He's always picking about something.
Prick
An indentation or small mark made with a pointed object.
Pick
To be harvested or gathered
The ripe apples picked easily.
Prick
(obsolete) A dot or other diacritical mark used in writing; a point.
Pick
To throw (a shuttle) across a loom.
Prick
(obsolete) A tiny particle; a small amount of something; a jot.
Pick
The act of picking, especially with a sharp pointed instrument.
Prick
A small pointed object.
Pick
The act of selecting or choosing; choice
Got first pick of the desserts.
Prick
A feeling of remorse.
Pick
Something selected as the most desirable; the best or choicest part
The pick of the crop.
Prick
Someone (especially a man or boy) who is unpleasant, rude or annoying.
Pick
The amount or quantity of a crop that is picked by hand.
Prick
A small roll of yarn or tobacco.
Pick
(Sports) An interception of a pass.
Prick
The footprint of a hare.
Pick
(Basketball) A screen.
Prick
(obsolete) A point or mark on the dial, noting the hour.
Pick
A tool for breaking hard surfaces, consisting of a curved bar sharpened at both ends and fitted to a long handle.
Prick
(obsolete) The point on a target at which an archer aims; the mark; the pin.
Pick
Something, such as an ice pick, toothpick, or picklock, used for picking.
Prick
(farriery) To drive a nail into (a horse's foot), so as to cause lameness.
Pick
A long-toothed comb, usually designed for use on curly hair.
Prick
To shoot without killing.
Pick
A pointed projection on the front of the blade of a figure skate.
Prick
(transitive) To form by piercing or puncturing.
To prick holes in paper
To prick a pattern for embroidery
To prick the notes of a musical composition
Pick
(Music) A plectrum.
Prick
(obsolete) To mark or denote by a puncture; to designate by pricking; to choose; to mark.
Pick
A weft thread in weaving.
Prick
To mark the surface of (something) with pricks or dots; especially, to trace a ship’s course on (a chart).
Pick
A passage or throw of the shuttle in a loom.
Prick
To run a middle seam through the cloth of a sail.
Pick
A tool used for digging; a pickaxe.
Prick
To fix by the point; to attach or hang by puncturing.
Pick
A tool for unlocking a lock without the original key; a lock pick, picklock.
Prick
To be punctured; to suffer or feel a sharp pain, as by puncture.
A sore finger pricks.
Pick
A comb with long widely spaced teeth, for use with tightly curled hair.
Prick
(ambitransitive) To make or become sharp; to erect into a point; to raise, as something pointed; said especially of the ears of an animal, such as a horse or dog; and usually followed by up.
The dog's ears pricked up at the sound of a whistle.
Pick
A choice; ability to choose.
Prick
(horticulture) Usually in the form prick out: to plant (seeds or seedlings) in holes made in soil at regular intervals.
Pick
That which would be picked or chosen first; the best.
Prick
(transitive) To incite, stimulate, goad.
Pick
(music) A tool used for strumming the strings of a guitar; a plectrum.
Prick
To urge one's horse on; to ride quickly.
Pick
An anchor.
Prick
To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse.
Pick
(basketball) A screen.
Prick
(transitive) To make acidic or pungent.
Pick
(lacrosse) An offensive tactic in which a player stands so as to block a defender from reaching a teammate.
Prick
(intransitive) To become sharp or acid; to turn sour, as wine.
Pick
(American football) An interception.
Prick
To aim at a point or mark.
Pick
(baseball) A good defensive play by an infielder.
Prick
To dress or adorn; to prink.
Pick
(baseball) A pickoff.
Prick
That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and slender thing; a pointed instrument; a goad; a spur, etc.; a point; a skewer.
Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary.
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Pick
A pointed hammer used for dressing millstones.
Prick
The act of pricking, or the sensation of being pricked; a sharp, stinging pain; figuratively, remorse.
Pick
(obsolete) A pike or spike; the sharp point fixed in the center of a buckler.
Prick
A mark made by a pointed instrument; a puncture; a point.
Pick
A particle of ink or paper embedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face, and causing a spot on a printed sheet.
Prick
A small roll; as, a prick of spun yarn; a prick of tobacco.
Pick
That which is picked in, as with a pointed pencil, to correct an unevenness in a picture.
Prick
To pierce slightly with a sharp-pointed instrument or substance; to make a puncture in, or to make by puncturing; to drive a fine point into; as, to prick one with a pin, needle, etc.; to prick a card; to prick holes in paper.
Pick
(weaving) The blow that drives the shuttle, used in calculating the speed of a loom (in picks per minute); hence, in describing the fineness of a fabric, a weft thread.
So many picks to an inch
Prick
To fix by the point; to attach or hang by puncturing; as, to prick a knife into a board.
The cooks prick it [a slice] on a prong of iron.
Pick
(AU) Pasture; feed, for animals.
Prick
To mark or denote by a puncture; to designate by pricking; to choose; to mark; - sometimes with off.
Some who are pricked for sheriffs.
Let the soldiers for duty be carefully pricked off.
Those many, then, shall die: their names are pricked.
Pick
To grasp and pull with the fingers or fingernails.
Don't pick at that scab.
He picked his nose.
Prick
To mark the outline of by puncturing; to trace or form by pricking; to mark by punctured dots; as, to prick a pattern for embroidery; to prick the notes of a musical composition.
Pick
To harvest a fruit or vegetable for consumption by removing it from the plant to which it is attached; to harvest an entire plant by removing it from the ground.
It's time to pick the tomatoes.
Prick
To ride or guide with spurs; to spur; to goad; to incite; to urge on; - sometimes with on, or off.
Who pricketh his blind horse over the fallows.
The season pricketh every gentle heart.
My duty pricks me on to utter that.
Pick
To pull apart or away, especially with the fingers; to pluck.
She picked flowers in the meadow.
To pick feathers from a fowl
Prick
To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart.
Pick
To take up; especially, to gather from here and there; to collect; to bring together.
To pick rags
Prick
To make sharp; to erect into a point; to raise, as something pointed; - said especially of the ears of an animal, as a horse or dog; and usually followed by up; - hence, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have the attention and interest strongly engaged.
Pick
To remove something from somewhere with a pointed instrument, with the fingers, or with the teeth.
To pick the teeth; to pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket
Prick
To render acid or pungent.
Pick
To decide upon, from a set of options; to select.
I'll pick the one with the nicest name.
Prick
To dress; to prink; - usually with up.
Pick
(transitive) To seek (a fight or quarrel) where the opportunity arises.
Prick
To run a middle seam through, as the cloth of a sail.
Pick
(cricket) To recognise the type of ball being bowled by a bowler by studying the position of the hand and arm as the ball is released.
He didn't pick the googly, and was bowled.
Prick
To drive a nail into (a horse's foot), so as to cause lameness.
Pick
(music) To pluck the individual strings of a musical instrument or to play such an instrument.
He picked a tune on his banjo.
Prick
To be punctured; to suffer or feel a sharp pain, as by puncture; as, a sore finger pricks.
Pick
To open (a lock) with a wire, lock pick, etc.
Prick
To spur onward; to ride on horseback.
A gentle knight was pricking on the plain.
Pick
To eat slowly, sparingly, or by morsels; to nibble.
Prick
To become sharp or acid; to turn sour, as wine.
Pick
To do anything fastidiously or carefully, or by attending to small things; to select something with care.
I gingerly picked my way between the thorny shrubs.
Prick
To aim at a point or mark.
Pick
To steal; to pilfer.
Prick
Insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
Pick
(obsolete) To throw; to pitch.
Prick
A depression scratched or carved into a surface
Pick
(dated) To peck at, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.
Prick
The act of puncturing with a small point;
He gave the balloon a small prick
Pick
(ambitransitive) To separate or open by means of a sharp point or points.
To pick matted wool, cotton, oakum, etc.
Prick
Cause a stinging pain;
The needle pricked his skin
Pick
(basketball) To screen.
Prick
Raise;
The dog pricked up his ears
Pick
To intercept a pass from the offense as a defensive player.
The pass was almost picked, but the tight end was able to hold on.
Prick
Prod or urge as if with a log stick
Pick
To throw; to pitch.
As high as I could pick my lance.
Prick
Cause a prickling sensation
Pick
To peck at, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.
Prick
To cause a sharp emotional pain;
The thought of her unhappiness pricked his conscience
Pick
To separate or open by means of a sharp point or points; as, to pick matted wool, cotton, oakum, etc.
Prick
Deliver a sting to;
A bee stung my arm yesterday
Pick
To open (a lock) as by a wire.
Pick
To pull apart or away, especially with the fingers; to pluck; to gather, as fruit from a tree, flowers from the stalk, feathers from a fowl, etc.
Pick
To remove something from with a pointed instrument, with the fingers, or with the teeth; as, to pick the teeth; to pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket.
Did you pick Master Slender's purse?
He picks clean teeth, and, busy as he seemsWith an old tavern quill, is hungry yet.
Pick
To choose; to select; to separate as choice or desirable; to cull; as, to pick one's company; to pick one's way; - often with out.
Pick
To take up; esp., to gather from here and there; to collect; to bring together; as, to pick rags; - often with up; as, to pick up a ball or stones; to pick up information.
Pick
To trim.
Pick
To eat slowly, sparingly, or by morsels; to nibble.
Why stand'st thou picking? Is thy palate sore?
Pick
To do anything nicely or carefully, or by attending to small things; to select something with care.
Pick
To steal; to pilfer.
Pick
A sharp-pointed tool for picking; - often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock.
Pick
A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes pointed at both ends, wielded by means of a wooden handle inserted in the middle, - used for digging ino the ground by quarrymen, roadmakers, etc.; also, a pointed hammer used for dressing millstones.
Pick
A pike or spike; the sharp point fixed in the center of a buckler.
Pick
Choice; right of selection; as, to have one's pick; in cat breeding, the owner of a stud gets the pick of the litter.
France and Russia have the pick of our stables.
Pick
That which would be picked or chosen first; the best; as, the pick of the flock.
Pick
A particle of ink or paper imbedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face, and occasioning a spot on a printed sheet.
Pick
That which is picked in, as with a pointed pencil, to correct an unevenness in a picture.
Pick
The blow which drives the shuttle, - the rate of speed of a loom being reckoned as so many picks per minute;
Pick
The person or thing chosen or selected;
He was my pick for mayor
Pick
The quantity of a crop that is harvested;
He sent the first picking of berries to the market
It was the biggest peach pick in years
Pick
The best people or things in a group;
The cream of England's young men were killed in the Great War
Pick
The yarn woven across the warp yarn in weaving
Pick
A small thin device (of metal or plastic or ivory) used to pluck a stringed instrument
Pick
A thin sharp implement used for picking;
He used a pick to clean dirt out of the cracks
Pick
A heavy iron tool with a wooden handle and a curved head that is pointed on both ends;
They used picks and sledges to break the rocks
Pick
A basketball maneuver; obstructing an opponent with one's body;
He was called for setting an illegal pick
Pick
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
Pick
Select carefully from a group;
She finally picked her successor
He picked his way carefully
Pick
Look for and gather;
Pick mushrooms
Pick flowers
Pick
Harass with constant criticism;
Don't always pick on your little brother
Pick
Provoke;
Pick a fight or a quarrel
Pick
Remove in small bits;
Pick meat from a bone
Pick
Remove unwanted substances from, such as feathers or pits;
Clean the turkey
Pick
Pilfer or rob;
Pick pockets
Pick
Pay for something;
Pick up the tab
Pick up the burden of high-interest mortgages
Foot the bill
Pick
Pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion;
He plucked the strings of his mandolin
Pick
Attack with or as if with a pickaxe of ice or rocky ground, for example;
Pick open the ice
Pick
Hit lightly with a picking motion
Pick
Eat intermittently; take small bites of;
He pieced at the sandwich all morning
She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles
Common Curiosities
What does prick mean?
To prick something means to make a small hole or puncture in it with a sharp object.
What might you use to prick something?
A needle, pin, or any sharp-pointed object can be used to prick.
What does it mean to pick something?
Picking something means to select or choose it from a group based on preference or suitability.
Can "pick" and "prick" be used interchangeably?
No, they refer to different actions; "pick" is about selecting, while "prick" involves piercing.
Is picking always a deliberate action?
Yes, picking involves making a conscious choice or decision.
Can pricking be done without causing damage?
While pricking involves making a hole or puncture, it can be minor and not necessarily result in significant damage.
Do you need a tool to pick something?
Not always; picking can often be done with just your hands, though tools can be used depending on the context.
Is pricking always intentional?
No, pricking can be accidental, such as stepping on something sharp.
How does the context change the meaning of pick and prick?
The context can highlight the distinction between making a selection (pick) and the act of piercing (prick).
What is the significance of the tool in pricking?
The tool used for pricking must be sharp enough to penetrate the surface of the object, highlighting the physical nature of the action.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
