choice

[ chois ]

noun

1. 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.

2. the right, power, or opportunity to choose; option:

   The child had no choice about going to school.

3. the person or thing chosen or eligible to be chosen:

   This book is my choice.

   He is one of many choices for the award.

4. an alternative:

   There is another choice.

5. an abundance or variety from which to choose:

   a wide choice of candidates.

6. something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something:

   Mare's Nest is the choice in the sixth race.

7. a carefully selected supply:

   This restaurant has a fine choice of wines.

8. a choice grade of beef.

adjective

, choic·er, choic·est.

1. worthy of being chosen; excellent; superior.

   Synonyms: precious, valuable, uncommon, rare, select

2. carefully selected:

   choice words.

3. (in the grading of beef in the U.S.) rated between prime and good.

choice

/ tʃɔɪs /

noun

1. the act or an instance of choosing or selecting
2. the opportunity or power of choosing
3. a person or thing chosen or that may be chosen

   he was a possible choice

4. an alternative action or possibility

   what choice did I have?

5. a supply from which to select

   a poor choice of shoes

6. of choice
   preferred; favourite

adjective

1. of superior quality; excellent

   choice wine

2. carefully chosen, appropriate

   a few choice words will do the trick

3. vulgar or rude

   choice language

Derived Forms

• ˈchoicely, adverb
• ˈchoiceness, noun

Other Words From

• choiceless adjective
• choicely adverb
• choiceness noun
• pre·choice noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of choice¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chois, from Old French, derived from choisir “to perceive, choose,” from Germanic; choose

Word History and Origins

Origin of choice¹

C13: from Old French chois, from choisir to choose

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of choice, that is generally preferred:

   A detached house is still the home of choice.

More idioms and phrases containing choice

see by choice ; Hobson's choice ; of choice ; pays your money and takes your choice . Also see under choose .

Synonym Study

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. See fine ¹.

Example Sentences

The choice between freedom and fear is not difficult when seen with perspective.

From The Daily Beast

Serve with the warm sauce and your choice of ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt.

From The Daily Beast

Removing choice is bullying and seems a horrid basis on which to anchor your relationship.

From The Daily Beast

When Hitler became chancellor on Jan. 30, 1933, Hildebrand was confronted with a choice: Would he remain in Nazi Germany?

From The Daily Beast

Disney has a choice whether to produce a program with certain fictional characters; the storyline could be re-written or changed.

From The Daily Beast

With some difficulty Jos explained his mother's disclaimer of the title of Senora, and the choice of names she offered to Ramona.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Mr. Blackbird selected a good many choice tidbits here and there, which he bolted with gusto.

From Project Gutenberg

Pedantic, unimaginative and presumptuous, Theobald was the logical choice for a Dunce King in 1728.

From Project Gutenberg

He apologized for interrupting their tête-à-tête, but said he had no choice, as the saloon was completely full.

From Project Gutenberg

The poor artist reconciled himself to go for a time to Brittany, and his choice fell on Concarneau.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• best
• excellent
• preferred
• prime
• superior