choice

1 /tSOIs/ noun

1 ABILITY TO CHOOSE (singular, uncountable) the right to choose or the chance to choose between several things: Nowadays both men and women are able to exercise choice as to whom they marry.

(+ between): a genuinely free choice between candidates (+ of): a choice of accommodation | have a choice (=be able to choose) | give sb a choice: I'll give you a choice - we can go to the movies or out for a meal. | have no choice (=be forced to do something because it is the only thing you can do): I had to go back. I was short of money and had no choice. | leave sb with no choice (=be forced to do something because it is the only thing you can do): He was left with no choice but to resign.

2 ACT OF CHOOSING (C) the act of choosing something: The board denied that financial considerations had influenced their choice.

(+ of): Alf left the choice of where they would go to Jenny. | make a choice (=choose): You should find out more before making your final choice.

3 RANGE TO CHOOSE FROM (singular) the range of people or things that you can choose from: There's a small general store in town, but I don't think there will be much choice.

(+ of): There is a choice of dozens of magazines aimed at women readers. | have a choice: In your exam you will have a choice of five questions.

4 THING CHOSEN (countable usually singular) the person or thing that someone has chosen: The choices you make now will affect you for many years.

(+ of): The choice of Cannes as the venue for the conference was inspired. | first/second etc choice: Italy was our second choice - all the flights to Greece were booked up.

5 THING YOU MAY CHOOSE (C) one of several things that you can choose: The computer will show you several search choices.

6 of your choice chosen by you without anything limiting what you can choose from: Chill and serve with the garnishes of your choice.

7 by choice if you do something by choice, you do it because you want to do it and not because you are forced to do it: The government has claimed that many people are homeless by choice.

8 the drug/treatment/newspaper etc of choice the thing that a certain group of people prefer to use: It is the drug of choice for this type of illness.

-see also: choose, Hobson's choice 2 adjective

1 formal of a very high quality or standard, used especially of food: choice apples | a choice collection of antique books

2 choice meat, especially beef 1 (1), is of a standard that is good but not the best: choice steak

3 a few choice words/phrases if you use a few choice words, you say exactly what you mean in an angry way: He dismissed the objection in a few choice words.