choose
verb (transitive)
UK/tʃuːz/US/tʃuːz/
To decide or select someone or something from a range of possibilities or options.
Example Sentences
You can choose any flavor of ice cream you like.
They had to choose between taking an early train or catching the bus the next morning.
He will choose a book from the shelf to read over the weekend.
She wants to choose the perfect gift for her best friend’s birthday.
When you choose a new smartphone, consider both the price and its features.
Students often struggle to choose a major if they have many interests.
After weighing all the pros and cons, he decided to choose a remote job opportunity that offered flexible working hours and a more balanced lifestyle.
In a rapidly changing world, people must regularly choose which skills to develop, making informed decisions about their education, career paths, and personal growth.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To pick an option or decide among possibilities.This verb refers to making a decision among different alternatives. It commonly appears in everyday contexts—like deciding between menu items—or bigger life events, such as choosing a university or career path. In grammar, “choose” is the base form, with “chose” as the simple past and “chosen” as the past participle. Use it to highlight personal agency: “I chose to start a new hobby,” or “You can choose the dessert we’ll have tonight.” It can also indicate a more formal or deliberate decision-making process, such as “The committee will choose the winning proposal next week.” Whether for quick picks (a movie to watch) or methodical analyses (selecting an investment strategy), “choose” underscores that a person is weighing options and exercising discretion. Context clarifies the scope: small daily choices or pivotal turning points. To strengthen clarity, pair it with descriptions of the factors that guide the selection (e.g., budget, personal preference, time constraint). By doing so, you show not only what was chosen, but also why, granting deeper understanding of the decision. Above all, “choose” conveys control and responsibility for the outcome, so ensure that the factors underlying the decision are clear.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid overusing this verb, several synonyms or closely related words can capture the essence of making a selection. “Pick” is a casual, concise option for everyday scenarios: “Pick any movie you like.” “Select” suits slightly more formal or professional contexts: “Select the best candidate for the position.” For emphasis on careful evaluation, consider “opt for” or “go with,” highlighting a definitive, reasoned outcome. “Decide on” fits well when describing the culmination of a process, as in “We decided on the new office layout.” Meanwhile, “elect” can be used if the choice results from voting or consensus. If you’re describing a scenario where a person chooses by default or by necessity, expressions like “end up with” or “settle on” convey a less deliberate pick. Each alternative offers nuanced flavor: “pick” signals informality, “select” suggests a thoughtful process, and “decide on” implies finality. Matching your verb to your context ensures your language remains fresh and precise, reflecting either casual convenience (“pick a flavor”) or methodical judgment (“select a course of study”).
Writing
When writing, “choose” can shape how you portray decisions and agency. In essays or articles, employing it pinpoints who holds the power to decide and why that matters. For instance, if you’re discussing freedom of choice in a sociopolitical context, emphasize how people choose leaders or policies. In fiction, you might show a character’s inner conflict: “She knew she had to choose between loyalty to her family and pursuing her own dreams.” Introduce clarity by detailing the factors influencing that choice. Is it emotional, logical, or based on external constraints? The more vivid you make the surrounding circumstances—like risk, reward, or moral imperatives—the greater the dramatic tension. In academic or technical writing, you might explain how readers should choose methods or tools based on criteria like efficiency or accuracy. Pair the verb with transitions that reflect your argument’s progression: “Having weighed the evidence, one must choose the option that maximizes outcomes.” Varying synonyms—“select,” “opt,” “determine”—helps maintain linguistic range while highlighting subtle differences in how decisions are reached. The core advantage of “choose” is its accessibility: it naturally conveys the decisive act that can shape outcomes, reveal character motivations, or solve problems, anchoring your writing in human agency.
Casual Conversation
In daily conversation, “choose” pops up whenever you talk about picking anything from dinner options to weekend plans. For instance, “Just choose the restaurant, and I’ll drive” passes the ball to someone else. Friends might say, “I can’t choose—there’s too much on the menu!” acknowledging indecision. Because it’s direct and straightforward, you can easily toss it into simple queries, like “Did you choose a gift for your mom yet?” If you’re feeling playful, you might shift to “pick,” “go for,” or “opt for,” though “choose” remains universally understood and neutral. In family chats, using “choose” helps guide children’s empowerment: “Choose which story we read tonight.” Meanwhile, casual chatter about broader life choices—like “I’m choosing to spend more time outdoors”—keeps the tone relaxed but purposeful. Overall, “choose” fits seamlessly into everyday talk, letting you highlight personal or group decisions in an easy, unforced way. If you notice repeated usage, throw in synonyms like “decide” or “pick” for variety, but “choose” is the consistent go-to. It’s approachable, flexible, and implies the natural control you have over simple day-to-day decisions and bigger lifestyle or career moves alike.
Etymology
“Choose” derives from the Old English verb “cēosan,” which comes from Proto-Germanic roots signifying the act of selecting or testing. In medieval times, the concept was linked closely to social and cultural customs—lords might choose whom to grant land, whereas communities might choose local leaders. Over centuries, the word became central in discussions of free will, morality, and autonomy, especially as societies shifted toward democratic or merit-based systems. Philosophical discussions and religious debates often hinged on whether people could freely choose good over evil, shaping moral doctrines throughout history. Today, we echo that heritage every time we say “choose,” whether for small daily picks or significant turning points in life. The ancient implication is still present: in your choice lies a personal stamp on destiny or everyday routine. Its enduring presence shows how essential and intrinsic selecting is to our human experience, bridging old tribal or feudal contexts to modern-day consumer culture and individual freedom.
