choose

American  

[chooz] / tʃuz /

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.

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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.

idioms

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

   He cannot choose but obey.

choose British  

/ 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

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choose More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing choose

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

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Related Words

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

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

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” ( gusto )

Example Sentences

Existing guidance, introduced by the previous government, says schools must consider the cost of their uniform, so it is not a deciding factor for parents when choosing schools.

From BBC

More companies chose a board member to run things day-to-day last year, usually a stopgap move that suggests succession hadn’t gone as planned, Spencer Stuart said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ruby said while the majority of the comments she received online were positive, she had notice her appearance being discussed, including a time that she chose not to wear fake tan for a competition.

From BBC

Behind the pomp and glitter, each school chooses an annual theme, often linked to Afro-Brazilian heritage, social or political commentary, mythology and environmental issues.

From Barron's

Streaming platforms allow viewers to pick and choose what to watch and when to watch it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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