chosen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal. More common in written and formal spoken contexts.
Quick answer
What does “chosen” mean?
The past participle of 'choose', meaning to have made a selection or decision from several possibilities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past participle of 'choose', meaning to have made a selection or decision from several possibilities.
Specifically selected or preferred from a group; also used in religious contexts (e.g., 'the chosen ones') to denote divinely selected individuals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Minor spelling variations may appear in derived forms (e.g., choosy/chossy), but not in 'chosen' itself.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a sense of deliberation and preference. In American English, the phrase 'chosen few' is slightly more common in popular media.
Frequency
Slightly higher relative frequency in American English corpora, largely due to its use in fixed religious and political phrases (e.g., 'chosen people', 'chosen candidate').
Grammar
How to Use “chosen” in a Sentence
[subject] have/has/had chosen [object][subject] was/were chosen as/by/for [object]It was chosen that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chosen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They haven't chosen a date for the wedding yet.
- She was chosen to represent the club.
American English
- We've chosen to go with a different contractor.
- He got chosen for the all-star team.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable – 'chosen' is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable – 'chosen' is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The chosen candidate will be contacted shortly.
- She spoke with carefully chosen words.
American English
- The chosen few will get early access.
- It's my chosen field of study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to selected suppliers, candidates for a position, or strategic options. 'The chosen vendor will be notified by Friday.'
Academic
Used for selected methodologies, sample groups, or textual excerpts. 'The participants were chosen based on specific criteria.'
Everyday
Common in discussing personal decisions about food, items, or activities. 'I've chosen the chocolate cake for dessert.'
Technical
In computing, refers to user-selected options, files, or parameters. 'Click on the chosen file from the list.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chosen”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chosen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chosen”
- Using 'chosen' without an auxiliary verb (e.g., 'I chosen the blue one' – INCORRECT).
- Confusing 'chose' (past simple) with 'chosen' (past participle).
- Misspelling as 'choosen'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chose' is the simple past tense (I chose yesterday). 'Chosen' is the past participle and must be used with an auxiliary verb like have/has/had/was/were (I have chosen, it was chosen).
Yes, frequently. It can function as a participle adjective, as in 'the chosen candidate' or 'a well-chosen gift'.
The main difference is in the vowel of the first syllable. British: /ˈtʃəʊ.zən/ (like 'go'). American: /ˈtʃoʊ.zən/ (a longer 'o' sound).
Absolutely. This is very common. For example, 'She was chosen for the team' or 'The topic was chosen by the committee.'
The past participle of 'choose', meaning to have made a selection or decision from several possibilities.
Chosen is usually neutral to formal. more common in written and formal spoken contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the chosen few”
- “a chosen one”
- “in the chosen field”
- “carefully chosen words”
- “a weapon of choice (related)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chosen' as the 'frozen' decision – once you've chosen, the selection is set.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELECTION IS EXTRACTION (chosen from a group), SELECTION IS A PATH (the chosen path/career).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'chosen' correctly?