Synonyms

choose

American

[chooz] / tʃuz /

verb (used with object)

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

She chose Sunday for her departure.
to prefer or decide (to do something).

He chose to run for election.
to want; desire.

I choose moving to the city.
(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)

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

Accepted by several colleges, the boy chose carefully.
to be inclined.

You may stay here, if you choose.
(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

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.

idioms

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

He cannot choose but obey.

choose British

/ tʃuːz /

verb

to select (a person, thing, course of action, etc) from a number of alternatives
(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to consider it desirable or proper

I don't choose to read that book
(intr) to like; please

you may stand if you choose
to be obliged to

we cannot choose but vote for him
(of two people or objects) almost equal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

choose More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing choose

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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.

See Examples For:

choose chooses chose chosen choosing

When store managers who work in close proximity—say, at the Chicago and Wilmette locations—go on their quarterly buying trips to Paris, they keep an eye on whether the inventory they choose overlaps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Beneficiaries may have plenty of options to explore; the average Medicare beneficiary can choose among 35 plans in 2027, according to KFF, a healthcare-research firm.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

If you want the least restrictive option, you can choose traditional Medicare, but you will need a special supplemental policy, known as a Medigap plan, to protect you from big out-of-pocket charges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Some firms choose to pay the Real Living Wage, but it is not mandatory.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

I can’t believe anyone would choose to live in a place like this.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

When I asked Anula why she chooses to live so far from all the tourist action on Iceland’s southern coast, she looked at me like I’d asked the dumbest question in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

An AI bot that goes on its merry way and informs the user what it’s been up to only when it chooses to?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Anyone who chooses to keep watching this game is choosing to support it and is choosing to be indifferent to its terrible cost on the young men playing.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

"If a person receives some benefit and consciously chooses to convert for that reason, why should it be considered wrong?"

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Thankfully Hina chooses this moment to appear from the back.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

The couple reportedly chose Philomena’s middle names to honor family members.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

Although the study was relatively small and participants chose their training programs, its findings support the idea that meaningful physical improvements remain possible well into older adulthood.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

I’m glad you chose to do that here.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

She chose to dedicate a part of the garden with a willow tree to Mabel.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

He had a habit of making grouchy, riddling remarks, but he had also shown himself to be a friend to Penelope and the children, at least when he chose to be.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Even if that option is chosen, most countries allow dual citizenship.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

French electro duo Justice were chosen to do the original score for the new instalment of the "Grand Theft Auto" video game which will be released next month, maker Rockstar Games announced Thursday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Since the rule change, the winner of the overtime coin toss has chosen to kick in 16 of 22 overtime games.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The winners will be chosen by representatives of the Ealing Beaver Project and the mayor of London's office.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Yet, even in front of men chosen for their positive stance on spirit communication, Maggie’s powers deserted her.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Kristen Vanetsky and her family moved to Bend, Oregon, after a shooting in their New Mexico neighborhood, choosing Silver Rail elementary for her grandson because they considered it safer.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

High voter turnout in the Southern Provinces for an election choosing parliamentary representatives in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, suggests the electorate is invested in national politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Traditionally, researchers have concentrated on choosing the right starting materials, catalysts, electrode surfaces, voltages, and solution compositions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Leclerc took second as team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after a baffling strategy that was a consequence of the Briton choosing not to pit when asked.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Her lasting legacy to the 587th Bomber Aviation Regiment was in choosing the challenging Pe-2 dive-bomber planes that they flew, and the 587th’s commitment to those planes would have made her proud.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023