choose

[chooz]

verb (used with object)

chose, chosen , chose, choosing .

1. to select from a number of possibilities; pick by preference.

   She chose Sunday for her departure.

2. to prefer or decide (to do something).

   He chose to run for election.

3. to want; desire.

   I choose moving to the city.

4. (especially in children's games) to contend with (an opponent) to decide, as by odd or even, who will do something.

   I'll choose you to see who gets to bat first.

verb (used without object)

chose, chosen , chose, choosing .

1. to make a choice, or select from two or more possibilities.

   Accepted by several colleges, the boy chose carefully.

2. to be inclined.

   You may stay here, if you choose.

3. (especially in children's games) to decide, as by means of odd or even, who will do something.

   Let's choose to see who bats first.

verb phrase

1. choose up

   1. to select (players) for a contest or game.

      The kids chose up sides for the game.

   2. to select players for a contest or game.

      We have to choose up before we can play.

choose

/ tʃuːz /

verb

1. to select (a person, thing, course of action, etc) from a number of alternatives

2. (tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to consider it desirable or proper

   I don't choose to read that book

3. (intr) to like; please

   you may stand if you choose

4. to be obliged to

   we cannot choose but vote for him

5. (of two people or objects) almost equal

Other Word Forms

• chooser noun
• choosable adjective
• prechoose verb (used with object)
• rechoose verb
• unchoosable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of choose¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English chosen, chēsen, Old English cēosan; cognate with Gothic kiusan, Old High German kiosan ( German kiesen ); akin to Greek geúesthai “to enjoy,” Latin gustāre “to taste” ( gusto )

Word History and Origins

Origin of choose¹

Old English ceosan; related to Old Norse kjōsa, Old High German kiosan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cannot choose but, cannot do otherwise than; is or are obliged to.

   He cannot choose but obey.

More idioms and phrases containing choose

• beggars can't be choosers
• choice
• pick and choose

Synonym Study

Choose, select, pick, elect, prefer indicate a decision that one or more possibilities are to be regarded more highly than others. Choose suggests a decision on one of a number of possibilities because of its apparent superiority: to choose a course of action. Select suggests a choice made for fitness: to select the proper golf club. Pick, an informal word, suggests a selection on personal grounds: to pick a winner. The formal word elect suggests a kind of official action: to elect a representative. Prefer, also formal, emphasizes the desire or liking for one thing more than for another or others: to prefer coffee to tea.

Example Sentences

The most important thing you can do when choosing a sunscreen, she says, is actually wear enough of it – a full teaspoon at least for each part of your body, face included.

From BBC

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer nearly granted naming rights to the company, but ended up choosing financial services firm Intuit to grace the $2-billion venue, a source familiar with the matter said.

From Los Angeles Times

"And whilst I was isolated, the press... were able to beat me up in the dark. That's been happening for about the last eight years. And I chose to leave the UK."

From BBC

While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly.

From BBC

Previous to this, visitors and residents could be nude, with most choosing to do so, Smith said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• adopt 
• appoint 
• cast 
• designate 
• determine 
• elect 
• embrace 
• favor 
• judge 
• love 
• name 
• prefer 
• single out 
• take 
• want