1
2
a
: to have a preference for
choose one car over another
b
: decide
chose to go by train
1
: 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
J. A. FroudeSynonyms
Examples of choose in a Sentence
Each year thousands of college students choose volunteer-service trips over beach bumming during their spring breaks and summer vacations.
—Edward M. Kennedy, Time, 22 Sept. 2008
I had been invited to choose certain things that I might want from the house, but although there were indeed a couple of things that I would have liked, I was withheld from making the trip …
—Alice Adams, "Why I Write,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
… as an instructor at New York University he chose to live by himself in lodgings that for the time must have been very expensive …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Any summary I might try to write for the rest of the novel would be worthless and I don't choose to waste my time at it.
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
The political party chose a leader.
They chose her as the team captain.
We've chosen a different time to go.
He was chosen because he's qualified for the job.
She was chosen from a long list of people.
He chose his words carefully.
Which shirt would you choose?
How do I choose when there's so much available?
Let everyone choose for themselves.
You can choose from among a number of alternatives.
Edward M. Kennedy, Time, 22 Sept. 2008
I had been invited to choose certain things that I might want from the house, but although there were indeed a couple of things that I would have liked, I was withheld from making the trip …
—Alice Adams, "Why I Write,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
… as an instructor at New York University he chose to live by himself in lodgings that for the time must have been very expensive …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Any summary I might try to write for the rest of the novel would be worthless and I don't choose to waste my time at it.
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
The political party chose a leader.
They chose her as the team captain.
We've chosen a different time to go.
He was chosen because he's qualified for the job.
She was chosen from a long list of people.
He chose his words carefully.
Which shirt would you choose?
How do I choose when there's so much available?
Let everyone choose for themselves.
You can choose from among a number of alternatives.
Recent Examples on the Web
New hotels can only be built if another closes down, and the city is urging developers to choose a site outside of the city center.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
Customers can choose from a chicken sandwich, boneless wings, three-piece tenders or the eight-piece classic, along with a 20-ounce beverage and side of ranch.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
So Moss, confident enough in himself, chose to take the coach at his word.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Lil Nas has been candid about the struggle to choose songs for the tape amid concerns over his fans’ perceptions of his music.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024
As for why the champagne brand chose to establish a photo exhibition in Milan for Salone del Mobile?
—David Graver, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024
While on the court, her personal style focuses on accessorizing her uniform, particularly with a single-leg sleeve that matches her jersey color, distinguishing her from those who choose a double-leg sleeve.
—Devine Blacksher, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
At lunchtime, there is a variety of salads to choose from, plus flatbreads and wings.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Many people in these countries continue to choose adding English to their diverse linguistic repertoire.
—Rosemary Salomone, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Ayana Archie, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
Customers can choose from a chicken sandwich, boneless wings, three-piece tenders or the eight-piece classic, along with a 20-ounce beverage and side of ranch.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
So Moss, confident enough in himself, chose to take the coach at his word.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Lil Nas has been candid about the struggle to choose songs for the tape amid concerns over his fans’ perceptions of his music.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024
As for why the champagne brand chose to establish a photo exhibition in Milan for Salone del Mobile?
—David Graver, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024
While on the court, her personal style focuses on accessorizing her uniform, particularly with a single-leg sleeve that matches her jersey color, distinguishing her from those who choose a double-leg sleeve.
—Devine Blacksher, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
At lunchtime, there is a variety of salads to choose from, plus flatbreads and wings.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Many people in these countries continue to choose adding English to their diverse linguistic repertoire.
—Rosemary Salomone, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'choose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near choose
Cite this Entry
“Choose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choose. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share