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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Elect Definition, Examples & How to Use It Correctly (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：choose by voting (elect)

elect 🔊

/ɪˈlekt/

to choose someone for a job or position by voting.

Hand dropping ballot into transparent box at polling station

choose by voting 🔊

➕

/tʃuːz baɪ ˈvoʊtɪŋ/

To select someone for a position or job through a formal voting process, typically in political or organizational contexts.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'e-' (out) + 'legere' (to choose), literally 'to pick out'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'E-lect' = 'E-lection' – you cast a vote to choose someone.

📖 Example

The citizens will elect a new mayor in next month's election. 🔊 The citizens will choose a new mayor by voting in next month's election.

🔗 Collocations

elect a president – choose a president through voting

elect a committee – select members of a committee via ballot

elect by majority – choose someone by receiving more than half the votes

🔄 Synonyms

vote for (phrasal verb) – to express support for someone in an election

choose (v.) – to pick someone from a group

select (v.) – to choose someone carefully from a set of candidates

🚫 Antonyms

reject (v.) – to refuse to accept or consider someone

dismiss (v.) – to remove someone from a position

unelect (v.) – to remove someone from office by voting (rare)

🌱 Derivatives

election (n.) – the process of voting to choose someone

elector (n.) – a person who votes in an election

electoral (adj.) – relating to elections

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'eligere' (to select), used in Roman assemblies for choosing officials. Evolved into modern democratic voting processes.

Meaning 2：choose to do (elect)

elect 🔊

/ɪˈlekt/

to formally or carefully decide to do something.

Person circling a choice in notebook at wooden desk

choose to do 🔊

➕

/tʃuːz tuː duː/

To formally or carefully decide to take a particular course of action, often after considering options.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After careful thought, she elected to leave her job and travel the world. 🔊 After careful thought, she decided to leave her job and travel the world.

🔗 Collocations

elect to stay – decide to remain in a place or situation

elect to participate – choose to take part in an activity

elect to follow – decide to obey or pursue a course

🔄 Synonyms

opt (v.) – to make a choice from available alternatives

choose (v.) – to decide on a course of action

decide (v.) – to make up one's mind about something

🚫 Antonyms

refuse (v.) – to indicate unwillingness to do something

decline (v.) – to politely refuse to do something

forgo (v.) – to decide not to do or have something

🌱 Derivatives

election (n.) – the act of choosing (in a formal sense)

elective (adj.) – optional; chosen by free will

re-elect (v.) – to choose again, especially after a term