Library / UI components / Dropdown
No. 003·noun·also called select, menu, picker

Dropdown

A button that opens a short list of choices when you click it, then closes once you pick one.

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Definition

What it is

A dropdown hides a list of options behind a single control. Click it, the list drops open, choose one, and it closes showing your choice.

Dropdowns save space when there are more than a few options and only one can be picked: a country, a sort order, a status. With only two or three options, buttons or a toggle are often clearer because people can see every choice at once.

A dropdown that lets you type to filter is often called a combo box. A dropdown of actions (Rename, Duplicate, Delete) rather than values is usually called a menu.

Say it like a builder

How to ask for it

Vague

“Let people choose the status from a list thing.”

Precise

“Add a status dropdown to each task with the options To do, In progress, and Done. Show the current status as the dropdown label, and save immediately when a new option is picked.”

Why it works

"A list thing" could be radio buttons or a full page; "dropdown" names a compact single-choice control and the prompt lists the options and save behavior.

In the wild

You've seen this in

  • AThe "Sort by" control on Amazon search results
  • CChoosing a country at checkout
  • JThe status picker on a Jira ticket
Usage note

Often confused with

PopoverA popover can hold anything; a dropdown holds a list of choices.ToggleA toggle is for on/off; a dropdown is for picking one of several.