Pickup vs. Pick-up vs. Pick Up
“Pickup” is a noun and adjective for collection, a vehicle, an increase, or informal activities; Cambridge also records “pick-up.” “Pick up” is the two-word phrasal verb for actions such as collecting, improving, or lifting.
Use “pick up” for the verb. Use “pickup” for the noun or adjective; “pick-up” is also a documented variant.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| verb for collecting, lifting, improving, or another phrasal-verb sense | pick up | Use two words. |
| noun or adjective in the closed spelling | pickup | Use the established closed non-verb form when it fits the variety/style. |
| documented hyphenated noun/adjective variant | pick-up | The hyphenated form is also documented; follow variety or house style. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the expression functioning as a verb that can become “picked up” or “picking up”?
If yes: Use “pick up.”
If no: For a noun or adjective, use a documented non-verb form such as “pickup” or “pick-up” according to variety and house style.
Caveat: Three written forms are involved: the spaced form is the verb, while closed and hyphenated non-verb spellings can reflect documented variety or house-style choices.
Examples
Please pick up the package after lunch.
The phrasal verb is written as two words.
The store offers curbside pickup.
“Pickup” functions as a noun.
They arranged a pick-up point near the entrance.
The hyphenated non-verb variant is documented and can follow house style.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “pick up” when the expression is a verb; use a noun/adjective spelling for the thing, event, or modifier.
Fast Test
If tense works—“picked up,” “picking up”—you are using the verb.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge records both “pickup” and “pick-up,” so the non-verb spelling can depend on variety or house style.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- PICKUP — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Noun/adjective “pickup” with documented “pick-up” variant
- PICK UP — meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb “pick up”