choice

1 of 2

noun

ˈchȯis 

1

: the act of choosing : selection

finding it hard to make a choice

2

: power of choosing : option

you have no choice

3

a

: the best part : cream

Of the cavalry the king's own was the choice.

b

: a person or thing chosen

she was their first choice

4

: a number and variety to choose among

a plan with a wide choice of options

5

: care in selecting

6

: a grade of meat between prime and good

choice

2 of 2

adjective

choicer; choicest

1

: worthy of being chosen

accepting the choicest candidates

2

: selected with care

prepared his report with choice words

3

a

: of high quality

served choice wine with the dinner

b

: of a grade between prime and good

choice meat

choicely adverb

choiceness noun

Phrases

of choice

: to be preferred

Synonyms

Noun

• option
• preference

Adjective

• select
• elegant
• exquisite
• fine
• rare
• special
• excellent
• exceptional

Choose the Right Synonym for choice

Noun

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Adjective

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

Examples of choice in a Sentence

Noun

He has some important choices to make.

You made a good choice.

She was faced with a difficult choice.

You can either accept the job or not. It's your choice.

I read about the various options so that I could make an informed choice.

Given the choice, I'd rather stay home tonight.

A flexible health insurance plan gives patients more choice about doctors and coverage.

There is a wide range of choices.

Other choices on the menu looked equally tempting.

Adjective

Choice beef is not as expensive as prime beef.

choice chocolates for which chocolate lovers are willing to pay extra

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Between the heat and sweltering humidity, long pants aren’t typically our first choice when getting dressed in the summer. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 26 July 2025

The Falcon 9 is routinely the rocket of choice to launch NASA astronaut missions to the International Space Station and is the exclusive launch provider for Musk's Starlink satellite deliveries. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 July 2025

Adjective

Plants with wide flat flowers like California native buckwheats (Eriogonum sp.) are choice nectar plants for many butterflies. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

Gift options include a roaster’s choice monthly subscription of single origin beans ($25), sourced from small farms, a Black Mirror scale ($59) or an AeroPress ($45). —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English chois, from Anglo-French, from choisir to choose, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kiosan to choose — more at choose

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing choice

• anti-choice
• axiom of choice
• by choice
• fielder's choice
• Hobson's choice
• leave someone (with) no/little choice
• multiple-choice
• of one's choice
• out of choice
• pro-choice
• sailor's-choice
• school choice
• spoiled for choice
• spoilt for choice

Rhymes for choice

• voice
• rejoice

Kids Definition

choice

1 of 2 noun

ˈchȯis 

1

: the act of choosing : selection

finding it hard to make a choice

2

: the power of choosing : option

you have no choice

3

a

: a person or thing chosen

our choice for mayor

b

: the best part

4

: a number and variety to choose among

a wide choice of options

choice

2 of 2 adjective

1

: very fine

choice fruits

2

: of a grade between prime and good

choice meat

choicely adverb

choiceness noun