Choosing the right word in technical writing can make or break clarity—especially in software, UX design, and everyday digital communication. If you’ve ever hovered over a checkbox, clicked a dropdown menu, or followed an app’s onboarding instructions, you’ve seen the words “deselect” or “unselect.” But which one is technically correct?
This guide dives deep into their history, grammar, real-world usage, and best practices—so your interfaces, technical documentation, and communication stay professional, precise, and user-friendly.
Understanding the Confusion Between “Unselect” and “Deselect”
The words look similar, but their roots and history tell a different story.
Both describe the action of reversing a selection—like clicking a highlighted option again to clear it.
| Word | Core Meaning | Prefix Origin | Usage Frequency | Professional Preference |
| Deselect | To remove a selection | Latin “de-” (reverse) | High | Preferred |
| Unselect | To undo a selection | Old English “un-” (opposite) | Low | Rare, informal |
Why confusion happens:
- Both start with a negative prefix (de-/un-).
- They appear interchangeably in software interfaces.
- Some programmers historically used .unselect() in code libraries.
Quick Answer: The Correct Term in 2025
In 2025 technical writing and UX guidelines, “deselect” is the accepted and preferred term for removing a selection in software, documentation, and UI copy.
“Deselect” is widely documented in Google Material Design, Microsoft Style Guide, and Apple Human Interface Guidelines.
“Unselect” still appears colloquially or in older documentation but is no longer standard.
What “Deselect” Means in Software and Everyday Use
“Deselect” means to undo or reverse a previous choice.
Examples:
- Clicking a checked box to clear it.
- Tapping a highlighted photo in Mac Finder to remove focus.
- Selecting “Deselect All” in Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop.
| Context | Example Text |
| Email Client | “Deselect all messages before deleting.” |
| Photo App | “Deselect images not needed for upload.” |
| Gaming UI | “Deselect weapons in loadout screen.” |
What “Unselect” Means and Why It’s Less Common
“Unselect” also means remove a selection, but its usage is less frequent and not officially recognized in many dictionaries.
Some libraries (like jQuery UI) used .unselect() in older versions, contributing to confusion.
It survives in:
- Informal conversations (“Just unselect it!”)
- Some niche software documentation
- Historical codebases
Historical Usage: From the 1980s to Today
| Decade | Common Term | Notes |
| 1980s | Deselect | Coined in early UI manuals for Windows 1.0 |
| 1990s | Deselect | Standard in GUI terminology |
| 2000s | Deselect dominant, unselect appears in casual writing | |
| 2025 | Deselect is the clear professional standard |
Grammar Rules: Prefixes “Un-” vs. “De-” Explained
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples | Precision |
| De- | Reverse an action | deactivate, deconstruct, deselect | High |
| Un- | Opposite or not | undo, unclear, unselect | Broader, less precise |
The Latin prefix “de-” aligns with reversing actions in computing, making “deselect” the grammatically stronger choice.
Common Contexts Where “Deselect” is Preferred
- Checkboxes & Menus: “Deselect All” is universal.
- Photos & Files: Finder, Windows Explorer use “Deselect.”
- Game Settings: Popular in loadout screens.
- Coding & APIs: .deselect() method calls dominate documentation.
UI/UX Writing Standards: Which Term Designers Use
Torrey Podmajersky’s “Strategic Writing for UX” emphasizes clarity and brevity.
All major UX style guides—including Microsoft, Apple, Google—recommend “Deselect.”
| Brand/Guide | Preferred Term |
| Microsoft Style Guide | Deselect |
| Google Material Design | Deselect |
| Apple HIG | Deselect |
| UX Writing Hub | Deselect |
Coding & API References: .deselect() vs .unselect()
| Library/Platform | Method |
| jQuery UI | .deselect() |
| Some legacy libraries | .unselect() |
| Modern APIs | .deselect() |
.unselect() is mostly deprecated.
Differences in Technical Documentation and Manuals
- Technical documentation prefers “deselect” for precision.
- Instructional copy in apps almost exclusively uses “deselect.”
- Community forums may mix both terms, leading to inconsistency.
Popular Style Guides: Google, Microsoft, and Apple Guidelines
- Microsoft Style Guide (MS): “Use ‘Deselect’ in all user interface text.”
- Apple HIG: “Deselect when clearing selected objects.”
- Google Material Design: “Deselect is standard for toggle actions.”
How Dictionaries Define “Deselect” vs. “Unselect”
| Source | “Deselect” Definition | “Unselect” Definition |
| Oxford English Dictionary | Officially listed | Not officially listed |
| Cambridge Dictionary | Listed | Not listed |
| Merriam-Webster | Listed | Rarely referenced |
Gaming Interfaces: Choosing and Unchoosing Actions
Gaming UIs rely heavily on “deselect” for toggles and loadouts.
Example: Fortnite uses “Deselect Item” to avoid confusion during gameplay.
Checkbox, Dropdown, and Menu Language Standards
Checkboxes often use a tri-state toggle (selected, partially selected, deselected).
“Unselect All” buttons are rare—“Deselect All” is the universal phrase.
Why “Unselect” Persists in Informal Writing
- Colloquial speech: Easy and intuitive.
- Slack, Discord chats: Developers use it casually.
- Legacy codebases: Hard-to-change libraries.
Professional Writing and Documentation Best Practices
For documentation clarity, always choose “deselect.”
Avoid confusion by standardizing language across manuals, UI elements, and API references.
SEO and Keyword Trends: Search Data on Both Terms
| Term | Search Volume (2025) | SEO Difficulty |
| Deselect | Higher | Medium |
| Unselect | Lower | Low |
Real-World Examples in Software Applications
| Software | Term Used |
| Adobe Photoshop | Deselect |
| Google Docs | Deselect |
| Microsoft Word | Deselect |
| Slack | Mixed usage |
Impact on User Experience and Clarity
A single word choice can determine whether users pause or proceed.
“Deselect” is globally understood, improving onboarding and usability.
When It’s Acceptable to Use “Unselect”
- Internal communication between devs
- Informal blog posts or tutorials
- Legacy API documentation
Alternatives to “Deselect” in Technical and Casual Speech
| Alternative | Context |
| Clear | Simple UI |
| Remove Selection | Detailed docs |
| Uncheck | Checkbox-only contexts |
Synonym Table: Words That Replace “Deselect”
| Synonym | Best Context |
| Clear | Buttons & CTAs |
| Cancel Selection | Photography apps |
| Remove | Technical docs |
Best Practices for UX Writers and Technical Authors
- Always use “deselect” in UI.
- Keep button text short and clear.
- Reference style guides for consistency.
Quick Tips for Clear and Consistent Interface Language
- Prefer action verbs (“Deselect,” “Uncheck”).
- Avoid jargon in onboarding screens.
- Test language with real users.
Summary Table: Choosing the Right Term at a Glance
| Context | Preferred Term |
| User Interfaces | Deselect |
| Documentation | Deselect |
| Legacy Code | May use Unselect |
| Informal Chat | Either |
FAQs
Q1: Is “unselect” grammatically correct?
Technically yes, but it’s not standard in professional writing.
Q2: Why do some libraries use .unselect()?
Legacy reasons—older APIs and frameworks adopted it.
Q3: Can I use “unselect” in UI text?
It’s not recommended. “Deselect” is clearer.
Q4: Does “deselect” appear in dictionaries?
Yes, most major dictionaries list it; “unselect” often isn’t.
Q5: Which term is better for accessibility?
“Deselect”—it’s consistent and easier to localize.
Conclusion
Both “unselect” and “deselect” mean to reverse a selection, but in technical communication, UX writing, and modern software design, “deselect” is the correct and professional choice. Its Latin prefix aligns with action reversal, making it grammatically and semantically stronger.
If you’re writing manuals, coding documentation, or UI microcopy, choose “deselect” for clarity, precision, and consistency. Save “unselect” for casual conversations or historical references.
