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. FroudeExamples 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
Again, open the camera screen in the app and choose to scan a negative.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
Hilton and Rothschild chose to tie the knot at Kensington Palace, where Kate Middleton and Prince William reside.
—Sarah Title, People.com, 10 July 2025
However, if the City Council chooses to appoint instead, the process must be transparent and inclusive.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
In 1925, the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini chose a live turtle to signify their long-lasting spirit of competition.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose
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Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025
Hilton and Rothschild chose to tie the knot at Kensington Palace, where Kate Middleton and Prince William reside.
—Sarah Title, People.com, 10 July 2025
However, if the City Council chooses to appoint instead, the process must be transparent and inclusive.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
In 1925, the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini chose a live turtle to signify their long-lasting spirit of competition.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose
Cite this Entry
“Choose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choose. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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