Main Entry:

choose

Pronunciation:

\ˈchüz\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

chose \ˈchōz\ ; cho·sen \ˈchō-z^ən\ ; choos·ing \ˈchü-ziŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English chosen, from Old English cēosan; akin to Old High German kiosan to choose, Latin gustare to taste

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 a: to select freely and after consideration <choose a career> b: to decide on especially by vote : elect 2 a: to have a preference for b: decide <chose to go by train>intransitive verb1: to make a selection <finding it hard to choose>2: to take an alternative —used after cannot and usually followed by but<when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy — J. A. Froude>

— choos·er \ˈchü-zər\ noun