choice
C1 (Very High Frequency)Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
The act or power of selecting between two or more possibilities.
A range of possibilities from which one or more may be selected; the thing or person selected; a high quality or desirable option (as in "choice cuts of meat").
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word operates on a spectrum from the abstract process of choosing to the concrete result (the thing chosen). It can imply free will and availability of alternatives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English in some contexts (e.g., "You have no choice" vs. "You don't have a choice"), but the distinction is minimal.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both variants.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a/the choice (of N/V-ing)make a choice (between X and Y)give/offer a choice (to sb)be a matter of choiceby choiceof one's choiceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hobson's choice (no real choice at all)”
- “spoilt for choice (too many good options)”
- “by choice (voluntarily)”
- “of choice (preferred or best available)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to product selection, consumer decisions, strategic options (e.g., 'Our product line offers customers more choice').
Academic
Used in discussions of free will, decision theory, economics, and policy (e.g., 'The study examined the factors influencing career choice').
Everyday
Common in conversations about daily decisions (e.g., 'What's your choice for dinner?').
Technical
In computing: a selection in a menu; in statistics: a random selection from a set.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb in standard modern English.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb in standard modern English.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She used only the choicest ingredients in her cooking.
- He told a few choice words he later regretted.
American English
- She used only the choicest cuts of beef.
- He had some choice words for the referee after the call.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- You have a choice: tea or coffee?
- It was a good choice.
- Making a career choice can be difficult.
- The menu offers a wide choice of vegetarian dishes.
- Faced with such a dilemma, she felt she had no real choice but to resign.
- The council is consulting the public to gauge their choice of name for the new park.
- His argument hinges on the philosophical concept of free will and rational choice.
- Investors were given the unpalatable choice between a significant loss or a long, uncertain legal battle.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHOIR singing several songs. You must CHOOSE (CHOICE) which one you like best. Both words share the 'choi' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHOICE IS A CROSSROADS (facing multiple paths); CHOICE IS A COMMODITY (something you can have, offer, or be given).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'выбор' as 'choice' in every context. Russian 'выбор' can mean 'election' (as in politics), where English uses 'election'. 'A wide choice' is better than 'a big choice'. 'To make a choice' is the standard collocation, not 'to do a choice'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I did a choice.' Correct: 'I made a choice.' Incorrect: 'There is many choices.' Correct: 'There are many choices.'
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase is 'choice' used as an adjective meaning 'of excellent quality'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In standard modern English, 'choice' is not used as a verb. The verb form is 'to choose'. 'Choice' as a verb is archaic or non-standard.
'Choice' emphasizes the act or power of selecting. 'Option' is one of the things that can be chosen. 'Alternative' often implies one of only two possibilities, or a different option from the usual.
As an adjective, 'choice' means 'of very good quality' (choice cuts of meat) or 'carefully chosen' (a few choice words). It is often used ironically (e.g., 'He had some choice comments').
It means an apparent freedom of choice where there is no real alternative; the only option is to take what is offered or nothing at all. It originates from the practice of a livery stable owner who hired out horses in strict rotation.