choice
[chois]
- an act or instance of choosing; selection: Her choice of a computer was made after months of research. His parents were not happy with his choice of friends.
- the right, power, or opportunity to choose; option: The child had no choice about going to school.
- the person or thing chosen or eligible to be chosen: This book is my choice. He is one of many choices for the award.
- an alternative: There is another choice.
- an abundance or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of candidates.
- something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something: Mare's Nest is the choice in the sixth race.
- a carefully selected supply: This restaurant has a fine choice of wines.
- a choice grade of beef.
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- worthy of being chosen; excellent; superior.
- carefully selected: choice words.
- (in the grading of beef in the U.S.) rated between prime and good.
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- of choice, that is generally preferred: A detached house is still the home of choice.
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Origin of choice
1250–1300; Middle English chois < Old French, derivative of choisir to perceive, choose < Germanic; see choose
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
2. Choice, alternative, option, preference all suggest the power of choosing between things. Choice implies the opportunity to choose: a choice of evils. Alternative suggests that one has a choice between only two possibilities. It is often used with a negative to mean that there is no second possibility: to have no alternative. Option emphasizes free right or privilege of choosing: to exercise one's option. Preference applies to a choice based on liking or partiality: to state a preference. 9. See fine1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
optionvarietyjudgmentdecisionfavoritefindingpreferencepickvotedistinctionalternativeopportunityelectioncullextractevaluationdiscriminationverdictsaydiscretionExamples from the Web for choices
Contemporary Examples
But these choices are where Iron from Ice (and other Telltale properties) sets itself apart.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the ThroatAlec Kubas-Meyer
December 13, 2014
I sometimes feel vexed by—but also addicted to—a sense of conflict, or a sense of being at odds with myself, or my choices.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’Marlow Stern
December 4, 2014
We need to reinforce the message that decision-making, the power of choices, is also important.
People can make other choices, and people should definitely be able to make a living off the work that they do.
Someone slipped me something while I was making Pound, and I had two choices—go to the hospital, or keep working.
The Renegade: Robert Downey Sr. on His Classic Films, Son’s Battle with Drugs, and Bill CosbyMarlow Stern
November 26, 2014
Historical Examples
Instead there were two other choices, a lot 313 and a miscellany steak.
Mezzerow Loves CompanyFloyd L. Wallace
Each idea is the result of choices in a certain paradigm of existence.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
They are challenged by the responsibility to make their own choices and carry them through.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
He liked older men, and Old Doc was one of his choices—a good one, too.
The Lani PeopleJ. F. Bone
Since you're the only unauthorized person who knows of it, we have two choices.
The Delegate from VenusHenry Slesar
choice
- the act or an instance of choosing or selecting
- the opportunity or power of choosing
- a person or thing chosen or that may be chosenhe was a possible choice
- an alternative action or possibilitywhat choice did I have?
- a supply from which to selecta poor choice of shoes
- of choice preferred; favourite
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- of superior quality; excellentchoice wine
- carefully chosen, appropriatea few choice words will do the trick
- vulgar or rudechoice language
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French chois, from choisir to choose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for choices
choice
n.
mid-14c., "that which is choice," from choice (adj.) blended with earlier chois (n.) "action of selecting" (c.1300); "power of choosing" (early 14c.), "someone or something chosen" (late 14c.), from Old French chois "one's choice; fact of having a choice" (12c., Modern French choix), from verb choisir "to choose, distinguish, discern; recognize, perceive, see," from a Germanic source related to Old English ceosan "to choose, taste, try;" see choose. Late Old English chis "fastidious, choosy," from or related to ceosan, probably also contributed to the development of choice. Replaced Old English cyre "choice, free will," from the same base, probably because the imported word was closer to choose [see note in OED].
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choice
adj.
"worthy to be chosen, distinguished, excellent," mid-14c., from choice (n.). Related: Choiceness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with choices
choice
see by choice; Hobson's choice; of choice; pays your money and takes your choice. Also see under choose.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.