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
The name of the facility was chosen in August 2021 to honor the Tuskegee Airmen and the ground breaking was held that same month.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
Wayfair has an entire pillow storefront with over 50,000 styles to choose from, including indoor/outdoor options, reversible designs, and more.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Experiences Over Things In addition, luxury consumers are increasingly choosing to indulge in experiences over material goods and jewelry is caught in that crosswind too.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
After Matthew Stafford chose the Rams over a trade to New York and with Aaron Rodgers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Schoen is signing the gunslinger former No. 1 overall pick Winston to finally add a veteran quarterback to the NFL’s 31st ranked offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose
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Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025
Wayfair has an entire pillow storefront with over 50,000 styles to choose from, including indoor/outdoor options, reversible designs, and more.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Experiences Over Things In addition, luxury consumers are increasingly choosing to indulge in experiences over material goods and jewelry is caught in that crosswind too.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
After Matthew Stafford chose the Rams over a trade to New York and with Aaron Rodgers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Schoen is signing the gunslinger former No. 1 overall pick Winston to finally add a veteran quarterback to the NFL’s 31st ranked offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 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 28 Mar. 2025.
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