noun / adjective

choice

CHOYSS/tʃɔɪs/

The selection of one option from others.

The shopper makes a choice, lifting the blue mug from the display.

A shopper selects one of three differently colored mugs from an equally accessible display, lifting the blue mug while the red and green alternatives remain beside it.

Etymology

choiceOld Frenchto choose, distinguish, discern

Choisir links choosing with distinguishing or discerning. Its related noun named both the act of selecting and the power to choose, matching the two sides of this sense.

In context

Center for Strategic & International Studies8:42

the fourth false choice is between popularity and principle

Statesmen's Forum: Stephen Hadley

More examples

The menu offers several choices for people who avoid dairy.
They saved a choice seat near the stage.
The farmer sets aside the choicest peaches for the display.

Forms

choice · choices · choicer · choicest

Similar words

decision: Broader; not every decision selects among several named alternatives.
selection: Selection can emphasize picking from several alternatives.