select vs blue-ribbon

select and blue-ribbon both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
select	No	Yes	Yes	No
blue-ribbon	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, select and blue-ribbon are synonyms defined as:

select (adjective)	blue-ribbon (adjective)
selected or chosen for special qualifications	selected or chosen for special qualifications
of superior grade

select (verb)	blue-ribbon (verb)
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives