choose

4 definitions • 16 examples

to decide what you want from two or more things or possibilities:

choose between She had to choose between the two men in her life.

Danny, come here and choose your ice cream.

choose something from something He chose a shirt from the many in his wardrobe.

[ + question word ] It's difficult choosing where to live.

choose something for someone I've chosen a present for Luis.

[ + two objects ] UK I've chosen Luis a present.

choose someone as something Yesterday the selectors chose Dales as the team's new captain.

[ + obj + to infinitive ] The firm's directors chose Emma to be the new production manager.

choose someone to do something They chose him to be their candidate in the election.

to decide to do something:

Katie chose to stay away from work that day.

When there is little to choose between two or more things, they are (all) very similar:

Board members agreed that there was little to choose between the two manufacturers.

to think about which one of several things is the one you want, and take the action to get it:

[ T ] Parents can choose the schools that they want their kids to go to.

[ I ] I can’t choose - I like both lamps.

[ + to infinitive ] On this issue, Congress chose to fight the president.

[ I ] There was not much to choose between them (= They are similar).

[ + question word ] You can choose what you like and we’ll send it to you.