choose
Americanverb (used with object)
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to select from a number of possibilities; pick by preference.
She chose Sunday for her departure.
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to prefer or decide (to do something).
He chose to run for election.
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to want; desire.
I choose moving to the city.
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(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)
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to make a choice, or select from two or more possibilities.
Accepted by several colleges, the boy chose carefully.
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to be inclined.
You may stay here, if you choose.
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(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
idioms
verb
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to select (a person, thing, course of action, etc) from a number of alternatives
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(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to consider it desirable or proper
I don't choose to read that book
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(intr) to like; please
you may stand if you choose
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to be obliged to
we cannot choose but vote for him
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(of two people or objects) almost equal
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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choosableadjective
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rechooseverb
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prechooseverb (used with object)
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choosernoun
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unchoosableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have chosenperfect
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have choseperfect
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has chosenperfect 3rd person singular
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has choseperfect 3rd person singular
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have been choosingperfect progressive
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am choosingprogressive 1st person singular
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are choosingprogressive
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is choosingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been choosingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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choosingparticiple
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choosessingular 3rd person
Past
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had choseperfect
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had chosenperfect
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were choosingprogressive plural
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had been choosingperfect progressive
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was choosingprogressive singular
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chosesimple
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chosenparticiple
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choseparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of choose
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” ( see gusto)
Explanation
The hardest part of adopting a dog from a shelter is when you have to choose which one to bring home with you. When you pick out one pup from the mass of barking canines, that's the dog you choose. Any time you decide on one thing over another — whether it's a seat on a plane, a new pair of shoes, or who you want to marry — you choose it. The Old English word that choose comes from is ceosan, which means something closer to "taste."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"You could choose to send them quickly or slowly depending on the nature of the observation. And the only way to do that is if you have two propulsion systems, which is now possible."
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
Fringe is also a win for the public, who have a wide variety of acts and times to choose from.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Building costs are massive and the structures are bespoke, and after their 10-year leases end, clients can choose not to re-up.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
For every match, you either choose a winner or a draw.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Mine isn’t much better—ma poulette literally means “my little chicken”—but I choose to embrace the nickname.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
