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choose

v.
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈtʃuz// UK //tʃˈuːz// choose Archaic General-service

v. to pick one thing from a group of different options because you want it or think it is the best.

v. to select from a number of possibilities; to decide on a course of action or a specific item from a set of alternatives.


SIMPLE

You can choose any color you like for your new room.

CONTEXTUAL

The committee had to choose between three qualified candidates for the manager position.

COMPLEX

When consumers choose products based on ethical considerations rather than price alone, they exert a significant influence on corporate environmental policies.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English cheosen, chesen, from Old English ċēosan (“to choose, seek out, select, elect, decide, test, accept, settle for, approve”), from Proto-West Germanic keusan, from Proto-Germanic keusaną (“to taste, choose”), from Proto-Indo-European ǵéwseti, from ǵews- (“to taste, try”). Cognate with Scots chuise, cheese (“to choose”), North Frisian kese (“to choose”), Saterland Frisian kjoze (“to choose”), West Frisian kieze (“to choose”), Dutch kiezen (“to choose”), French choisir (“to choose”), Low German kesen (“to choose”), German Low German kiesen (“to pick, select”), archaic and partially obsolete German kiesen (“to choose”), Danish kyse (“to frighten (via ‘to charm, allure’ and ‘to enchant’)”), Norwegian kjose (“to choose”), Swedish tjusa (“to charm, allure, enchant”), Icelandic kjósa (“to choose, vote, elect”), Gothic 𐌺𐌹𐌿𐍃𐌰𐌽 (kiusan, “to test”), Latin gustō (“to taste, sample”), Ancient Greek γεύω (geúō, “to feed”), Sanskrit जोषति (jóṣati, “to like, enjoy”), Russian кушать (kúšatʹ, “to have a meal, to eat”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English chose, chos, chooce, a Northern dialectal form of Middle English chois (“choice”). Cognate with Scots chose, choose, chuse (“choosing, choice, selection”). Doublet of choice, which see for more.

Usage

The verb is irregular (choose, chose, chosen). It is usually transitive, taking a direct object, but can be intransitive when the options are implied.

Pitfall

I will choice the red oneI will choose the red oneLearners often confuse the verb 'choose' with the noun 'choice'.

Idioms4 entries

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