deselect
B2Formal (especially in politics), Technical (computing)
Definition
Meaning
to remove a previous selection; to uncheck or unchoose.
In computing, to remove a highlighted option. In British politics, for a political party to decide not to adopt an incumbent MP as their candidate in the next election.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often implies an active reversal of a prior, deliberate choice. In the computing sense, it is often used in contrast to 'select' or 'highlight'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'deselect' has a strong, specific political meaning (an MP being dropped by their party). In American English, it is almost exclusively used in a computing/UI context.
Connotations
Politically in the UK, it carries a negative, often controversial connotation for the MP involved. In computing, it is neutral and functional.
Frequency
More common overall in American English due to widespread tech usage. The political sense is high-frequency in UK political journalism during election cycles.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[User] deselects [object/item/option][Party] deselects [MP/candidate]deselect [object] from [list/group]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “deselected and deflated (political)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in software interfaces: 'Deselect any unnecessary services from the package.'
Academic
Rare, mostly in political science: 'The study examines factors leading to the deselection of sitting members.'
Everyday
Mostly computing: 'If you change your mind, just deselect that box.'
Technical
Core UI/UX and programming terminology: 'The function returns an error if you try to deselect the primary node.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The constituency party voted to deselect the incumbent MP over the scandal.
- You can deselect multiple files by holding the Ctrl key.
American English
- To update your preferences, simply deselect the email notifications option.
- The committee moved to deselect the underperforming candidate from the shortlist.
adjective
British English
- The deselected MP gave an emotional farewell speech.
- A deselected file will appear greyed out.
American English
- The deselected checkbox will revert to its empty state.
- He became a deselected incumbent seeking re-election as an independent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Click here to deselect the picture.
- If you don't want newsletters, please deselect this box.
- The local party members decided to deselect their MP after his controversial comments.
- The software allows you to batch deselect items by applying a filter to the current selection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE-SELECT. The 'DE-' prefix means 'reverse' or 'remove', like 'deactivate'. So you are reversing a 'selection'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHOOSING IS SELECTING (reversing a choice is deselecting). POLITICAL SUPPORT IS A SEAT ON A VEHICLE (deselection is being thrown off the party bus).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct translation like 'рассчитывать' (to dismiss from work). Use 'снять выделение' for computing, 'не выдвинуть кандидатом повторно' for politics.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unselect' (non-standard) instead of 'deselect'. Confusing 'deselect' (remove a specific choice) with 'cancel' (abort entire process).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'deselect' MOST likely to be used in British English news?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'unselect' is widely used but considered non-standard in formal English. 'Deselect' or 'clear the selection' are the correct terms.
It is possible but rare. Its core meaning is 'to remove a selection', so it could be used in any selection process (e.g., deselecting a team member from a project).
The noun is 'deselection'. Example: 'The deselection of the MP caused a local uproar.'
Not necessarily. It simply means the selection was reversed. The reason could be a mistake, a change of mind, or an external decision (as in politics).