# chosen

/ˈtʃoʊzən/ (US) · /tʃˈəʊzən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chosen
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. past participle of choose

verb · CEFR A2

the form of 'choose' used after 'have', 'has', or 'had'.

For teachers: the past participle of the irregular verb 'choose'.

- She had chosen a blue dress for the wedding before she saw the green one.
- By the time the committee reached a final decision, the candidate had already chosen to accept a competing offer from a rival firm.

Usage: Used to form the present perfect, past perfect, and passive voice.

### 2. selected or picked

adjective · CEFR B1

picked out from a larger group because of being the best or most suitable.

For teachers: having been selected from a number of alternatives; often used to imply preference or suitability.

- The chosen candidate will start their new job next Monday.
- The chosen site for the new hospital was selected for its proximity to major transport links and its relatively flat terrain.

Usage: Commonly used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

### 3. a special group

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

a person or group of people who have been picked for a special purpose or honor.

For teachers: a person or group of people perceived as having been selected by a divine or higher power for a specific destiny.

- In many old stories, the hero is one of the chosen who must save the world.
- The narrative explores the psychological burden placed upon the chosen, who are expected to lead their people through the coming crisis.

Usage: Usually preceded by the definite article 'the' and functions as a collective noun.

## Examples

- She is the chosen leader for our new team.
- After weeks of interviews, he was the chosen candidate for the senior management position.
- The author explores the heavy burden of being the chosen successor to a legendary political dynasty, highlighting the personal sacrifices required by such a public role.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.