choice

choice [chois] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for choice on Thesaurus.com 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.

9. worthy of being chosen; excellent; superior.
10. carefully selected: choice words.
11. (in the grading of beef in the U.S.) rated between prime and good.

Idioms

12. of choice, that is generally preferred: A detached house is still the home of choice.

Origin of choice 1250–1300; Middle English chois Old French, derivative of choisir to perceive, choose Germanic; see choose Related formschoice·less, adjectivechoice·ly, adverbchoice·ness, nounpre·choice, nounSynonyms for choice See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com 9. select, rare, uncommon, valuable, precious. Synonym study 2. 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. 9. See fine1. Related Words for choice prime, preferred, excellent, option, variety, judgment, decision, favorite, finding, preference, pick, vote, distinction, alternative, opportunity, election, elect, prize, exclusive, fine Examples from the Web for choice Contemporary Examples of choice

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

Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too

John Avlon

January 8, 2015

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

Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Sticky Toffee Pudding

Carla Hall

December 28, 2014

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

Yep, Korra and Asami Went in the Spirit Portal and Probably Kissed

Melissa Leon

December 25, 2014

And since visual media is more compelling than any other medium, it is consistently their drug of choice.

North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom

Lizzie Crocker

December 22, 2014

My choice is that it should be required reading by those who run the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas

Clive Irving

December 22, 2014

Historical Examples of choice

He was the only President to use the choice offered by the Constitution.

United States Presidents’ Inaugural Speeches

Various

But let it—if it must be Lovelace or Solmes, the choice cannot admit of debate.

Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

Samuel Richardson

It asserts that we have the right to choice of our own work and to the reward of our own toil.

United States Presidents’ Inaugural Speeches

Various

He had led Andrew to the corral and told him to make his choice.

Way of the Lawless

Max Brand

We began the 19th century with a choice, to spread our nation from coast to coast.

United States Presidents’ Inaugural Speeches

Various

British Dictionary definitions for choice choice 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 chosenhe was a possible choice
4. an alternative action or possibilitywhat choice did I have?
5. a supply from which to selecta poor choice of shoes
6. of choice preferred; favourite

adjective

7. of superior quality; excellentchoice wine
8. carefully chosen, appropriatea few choice words will do the trick
9. vulgar or rudechoice language

Derived Formschoicely, adverbchoiceness, nounWord Origin for choice C13: from Old French chois, from choisir to choose Word Origin and History for choice n.

mid-14c., “that which is choice,” from choice (adj.) blended with earlier chois (n.) “action of selecting” (c.1300); “power of choosing” (early 14c.), “someone or something chosen” (late 14c.), from Old French chois “one’s choice; fact of having a choice” (12c., Modern French choix), from verb choisir “to choose, distinguish, discern; recognize, perceive, see,” from a Germanic source related to Old English ceosan “to choose, taste, try;” see choose. Late Old English chis “fastidious, choosy,” from or related to ceosan, probably also contributed to the development of choice. Replaced Old English cyre “choice, free will,” from the same base, probably because the imported word was closer to choose [see note in OED].

adj.

“worthy to be chosen, distinguished, excellent,” mid-14c., from choice (n.). Related: Choiceness.

Idioms and Phrases with choice choice

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