choose
to select from a number of possibilities; pick by preference: She chose Sunday for her departure.
to prefer or decide (to do something): He chose to run for election.
to want; desire: I choose moving to the city.
(especially in children's games) to contend with (an opponent) to decide, as by odd or even, who will do something: I'll choose you to see who gets to bat first.
to make a choice, or select from two or more possibilities: Accepted by several colleges, the boy chose carefully.
to be inclined: You may stay here, if you choose.
(especially in children's games) to decide, as by means of odd or even, who will do something: Let's choose to see who bats first.
choose up,
to select (players) for a contest or game: The kids chose up sides for the game.
to select players for a contest or game: We have to choose up before we can play.
Idioms about choose
cannot choose but, cannot do otherwise than; is or are obliged to: He cannot choose but obey.
Origin of choose
1synonym study For choose
Other words from choose
- choos·a·ble, adjective
- chooser, noun
- pre·choose, verb (used with object), pre·chose, pre·cho·sen, pre·choos·ing.
- re·choose, verb, re·chose, re·cho·sen, re·choos·ing.
- un·choos·a·ble, adjective
Words that may be confused with choose
- chews, choose
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for choose
/ (tʃuːz) /
to select (a person, thing, course of action, etc) from a number of alternatives
(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to consider it desirable or proper: I don't choose to read that book
(intr) to like; please: you may stand if you choose
cannot choose but to be obliged to: we cannot choose but vote for him
nothing to choose between or little to choose between (of two people or objects) almost equal
Origin of choose
1Derived forms of choose
- chooser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with choose
In addition to the idiom beginning with choose
- choose up
also see:
- beggars can't be choosers
- pick and choose
Also see underchoice.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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