choose
/tʃuːz
/verb (past chose /tʃəʊz/; past participle chosen /ˈtʃəʊz(ə)n/) [with object]
1Pick out (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives: he chose a seat facing the door [no object]: there are many versions to choose from...
- Everyone seems to have chosen the person they are supporting for the job.
- Our waitress helped us choose all our dishes and we were pleased we took her advice.
- You are not simply choosing a new leader for the party, you are picking the next prime minister.
Synonyms
select, pick, pick out, opt for, plump for, go for, take, settle on, decide on, fix on, come down in favour of, vote for;
single out, hand-pick;
set, designate, determine, specify, appoint, name, nominate, adopt, espouse;
British pitch on
1.1 [no object] Decide on a course of action: [with infinitive]: he chose to go I’ll stay as long as I choose...
- Nations have always been able to choose to what degree they wish to open up to globalisation.
- Feel free to choose more or less as you see fit, but please explain why you picked them.
- Sometimes I wish I had chosen to be one of those who mend lives but it is too late for regrets.
Synonyms
wish, want, desire, prefer, feel/be inclined, please, like, see fit;
decide, elect, make up one's mind
Phrases
cannot choose but do something
there is little (or nothing) to choose between
Derivatives
chooser
/ noun ...- Sometimes, these pickers and choosers even mix in their favorite features of other faiths.
- As refugees, we are resigned to being subject to charity; we cannot be choosers.
- But where I think the flaw in reasoning lies is that it puts the focus on the ethical choice rather the ethical chooser.
Origin
Old English cēosan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kiezen.