choice

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++choice1 /tʃɔɪs/ S1 W1 noun 1 ABILITY TO CHOOSE[countable, uncountable]CHOOSE if you have a choice, you can choose between several things 选择；选择权 → choosechoice between Voters have a choice between three main political parties. 选民可以在三大政党之间作选择。choice of You have a choice of hotel or self-catering accommodation. 你可以选择住宾馆或找自理膳食的住宿处。 He has to make some important choices. 他得作出一些重要的抉择。 They gave us no choice in the matter. 在这件事情上他们没给我们选择的余地。2 RANGE TO CHOOSE FROM[singular, uncountable]CHOOSE the range of people or things that you can choose from 选择范围 It was a small shop and there wasn’t much choice. 这是家小商店，选择不多。choice of There is a choice of four different colours. 有四种颜色可供选择。 We offer a wide choice of wines and beers. 我们有各种各样的葡萄酒和啤酒供选择。spoilt for choice British English Consumers these days are spoilt for choice (=have a lot of things to choose from). 如今的消费者可选择的东西太多了。3 THING CHOSEN[countable]CHOOSE the person or thing that someone chooses 被选中的人[东西]choice of I don’t really like her choice of jewellery. 我不大喜欢她选的首饰。 I think London was a good choice as a venue. 我觉得伦敦是个很好的选址。somebody’s first/second choice My first choice of college was Stanford. 我的第一志愿是斯坦福大学。4 by choice CHOOSEif you do something by choice, you do it because you want to do it and not because you are forced to do it 自己选择的，自愿的 She lives alone by choice. 她是自己选择一个人生活的。5 the something of your choice CHOOSEthe person or thing of your choice is the one that you would most like to choose 你最喜欢[最想要]的事物 My children cannot go to the school of their choice. 我的孩子们无法上他们最喜欢的学校。6 the something of choice PREFERthe thing of choice is the one that people prefer to use 首选的东西 It is the drug of choice for this type of illness. 这是治疗这种病的首选药。 → Hobson's choice COLLOCATIONSverbshave a choice 有选择，可以选择Students have a choice between German and Spanish. 学生可以选择德语或西班牙语。make a choice (=choose something) 作出选择One of our course advisors can help you to make your choice. 我们的课程指导员可以帮助你作出选择。give somebody a choice 给某人选择Her doctor gave her a choice: take medicine or lose weight. 医生给她选择: 服药或者减肥。be faced with a choice 面临选择He was faced with a difficult choice. 他面临艰难的选择。have no choice (but to do something) 没有选择（而只能做某事）The men had no choice but to obey. 那些人别无选择，只能服从。leave somebody with no choice 没有给某人选择I was left with no choice but to resign. 我没有选择，只能辞职。exercise your choice formal (=make a choice – used especially when talking about someone using their right to choose) 行使自己的选择权nEveryone should have the right to exercise choice in matters of relationships.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + choicethe right/wrong choice 正确/错误的选择I think you’ve made the right choice. 我想你作出了正确的选择。a difficult choice 艰难的选择It was a very difficult choice for me. 这对我来说是个非常艰难的选择。a stark choice (=a choice between two unpleasant things that you must make) 残酷的选择We faced a stark choice: steal or starve. 我们面临一个残酷的选择: 要么偷，要么挨饿。(a) free choice 自由的选择Students have an entirely free choice of what to study at university. 学生在大学里选读什么是完全自由的。an informed choice (=a choice based on knowledge of the facts about something) 知情的选择The patient should have enough information to make an informed choice. 病人应该了解足够的信息，在知情的情况下作出选择。consumer choice (=the opportunity for people to choose between different products) 消费者选择nI believe in free trade and consumer choice.parental choice 家长选择权nThe aim is to extend parental choice in education.phrasesfreedom of choice 选择的自由Patients should have more freedom of choice. 病人应该有更大的选择自由。given the choice (=if you had a choice) 假如可以选择Given the choice, I probably wouldn’t work. 假如可以选择，我可能就不会上班。nhave no choice in the matterThe village people had no choice in the matter.n THESAURUSchoice: choice ofThe school seems OK, but there isn’t a great choice of courses. | have a choice (=be able to choose from several things)With her high grades and athletic skill, Celeste had her choice of colleges. | have no choice but to do something (=to be forced to do something because there is nothing else you can choose)Spooner says he had no choice but to file for bankruptcy. | wide choice (=a lot of things to choose from)There is a wide choice of hotels and hostels in the town.option one of the things that you can choose to do in a particular situationHe basically has two options: he can have the surgery, or he can give up playing football. | keep/leave your options open (=delay choosing so that you continue to have several things to choose from)I haven’t signed any contracts yet – I want to keep my options open.alternative one of two or more ways of doing somethingDid you consider other alternatives before you moved in with Lucy? | alternative toThere is no practical alternative to our current policy. | have no alternative (=to not have a choice)He says he doesn’t want to see a doctor, but I’m afraid he has no alternative.n THESAURUSchoice something or someone that has been chosenMaria was very pleased with her choice. | first/second/third choice (=the thing you wanted most, the thing you wanted most after that etc)Greece was our first choice for a vacation, but all the flights were full. | somebody’s choice ofI don’t like his choice of friends.selection a small group of the best things that have been chosen from a larger group: selection ofShe showed me a selection of her drawings.a selection of songs from ‘West Side Story’

Examples from the Corpus

choice• Prey Selection Throughout its geographical range, Nucella lapillus has a choice of prey species.• We do always, however, have a choice about what we do - nobody forces us to do wrong.• In the case of automobiles, you have a choice of valuation methods, and choosing the wrong one can be costly.• He says he lives on the street by choice.• It was a difficult choice, but we finally decided that Hannah should have the prize.• Greece was our first choice for a vacation, but all the flights were full.• The school seems OK, but there isn't a great choice of courses.• Patients are demanding greater choice in the type of treatment they get.• With her high grades and athletic skill, Celeste had her choice of colleges.• Maria was very pleased with her choice.• I don't like his choice of friends.• Micky Burns from the players' union advises and assists on the options to help them make informed choices about their futures.• There's a small general store in town, but I don't think there will be much choice.• Spooner says he had no choice but to file for bankruptcy.• Thus for many families there is no choice but to spend some time on income support.• I don't believe in fate - we all have freedom of choice.• freedom of choice• I wouldn't ride without a helmet, but I think people should have the choice.• The choices you make now will affect you for many years.• The choice of actress to play Joan has always been crucial.• The board denied that financial considerations had influenced their choice.• If people want to prescribe unproved forms of treatment, or to receive them, that is their choice.• There is a wide choice of hotels and hostels in the town.• Please indicate your choice on the form.choice between• a choice between right and wrongwide choice• There is a buffet breakfast and a wide choice of main courses at dinner, plus a salad buffet.• The Brewhouse Theatre offers year-round entertainment and a wide choice of restaurants make your mouth water.• Mature students will enjoy a wider choice of courses.• Anyone concerned with selecting a class book for teaching a language will face a wide choice of texts.• Where, outside of London, could you find a wider choice?• Shop around brokers for a wider choice.• Several nightclubs, together with pubs, jazz and folk clubs, provide a wide choice of entertainment.• Each provides a wide choice of sailing and non-sailing activities.good choice• Marcel Marceau would have been a better choice.• Andre is a good choice, all things considered.• The less expensive salmon is a good choice for making salmon loaf and casserole dishes.• The majority opted for the visit and in my opinion made a good choice.• Vegetarians therefore may include a little oil in their cooking, and extra virgin olive oil is the best choice.• So which is the best choice?• So if you're thinking about selling your house, white is the best choice.• Both of these are very good choices.choice2 adjective 1 [only before noun] formalGOOD/EXCELLENT choice food is of very good quality 〔食物〕上等的，精选的，品质优良的 choice steak 上等牛排 We select only the choicest apples for our pies. 我们只挑选最好的苹果做馅饼。2 a few choice words/phrases ANGRYif you use a few choice words, you say exactly what you mean in an angry way 尖刻的话 He told us what he thought of the idea in a few choice words. 他很不客气地跟我们说了他对这个观点的看法。

Examples from the Corpus

choice• choice apples• But he aimed his choicest barbs at occupants of the White House, or those trying to be.• the choicest cuts of meat• Chances are that most of the choice summer jobs have already been taken.Origin choice1 (1200-1300) Old French chois, from choisir “to choose”

choice1 noun →COLLOCATIONS1 →n THESAURUS1
→n THESAURUS2choice2 adjectiveLDOCE OnlineChinese

Corpus can choice, you a you choose if between have

choice

choice¹ S1 W1 /tʃɔɪs/

noun

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: chois, from choisir 'to choose'

1. [uncountable and countable] if you have a choice, you can choose between several things ⇨ choose
choice between

Voters have a choice between three main political parties.
choice of

You have a choice of hotel or self-catering accommodation.

He has to make some important choices.

They gave us no choice in the matter.
2. [singular, uncountable] the range of people or things that you can choose from:

It was a small shop and there wasn’t much choice.
choice of

There is a choice of four different colours.

We offer a wide choice of wines and beers.

Consumers these days are spoilt for choice British English (=have a lot of things to choose from).
3. [countable] the person or thing that someone chooses
choice of

I don’t really like her choice of jewellery.

I think London was a good choice as a venue.
sb’s first/second choice

My first choice of college was Stanford.
4. 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:

She lives alone by choice.
5. the something of your choice the person or thing of your choice is the one that you would most like to choose:

My children cannot go to the school of their choice.
6. the something of choice the thing of choice is the one that people prefer to use:

It is the drug of choice for this type of illness.
⇨ HOBSON’S CHOICE

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ have a choice Students have a choice between German and Spanish.
   ▪ make a choice (=choose something) One of our course advisors can help you to make your choice.
   ▪ give somebody a choice Her doctor gave her a choice: take medicine or lose weight.
   ▪ be faced with a choice He was faced with a difficult choice.
   ▪ have no choice (but to do something) The men had no choice but to obey.
   ▪ leave somebody with no choice I was left with no choice but to resign.
   ▪ exercise your choice formal (=make a choice - used especially when talking about someone using their right to choose) Everyone should have the right to exercise choice in matters of relationships.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + choice
   ▪ the right/wrong choice I think you’ve made the right choice.
   ▪ a difficult choice It was a very difficult choice for me.
   ▪ a stark choice (=a choice between two unpleasant things that you must make) We faced a stark choice: steal or starve.
   ▪ (a) free choice Students have an entirely free choice of what to study at university.
   ▪ an informed choice (=a choice based on knowledge of the facts about something) The patient should have enough information to make an informed choice.
   ▪ consumer choice (=the opportunity for people to choose between different products) I believe in free trade and consumer choice.
   ▪ parental choice The aim is to extend parental choice in education.
■ phrases
   ▪ freedom of choice Patients should have more freedom of choice.
   ▪ given the choice (=if you had a choice) Given the choice, I probably wouldn’t work.
   ▪ have no choice in the matter The village people had no choice in the matter.

THESAURUS

   ▪ choice: choice of: The school seems OK, but there isn’t a great choice of courses. | have a choice (=be able to choose from several things): With her high grades and athletic skill, Celeste had her choice of colleges. | have no choice but to do something (=to be forced to do something because there is nothing else you can choose): Spooner says he had no choice but to file for bankruptcy. | wide choice (=a lot of things to choose from): There is a wide choice of hotels and hostels in the town.
   ▪ option one of the things that you can choose to do in a particular situation: He basically has two options: he can have the surgery, or he can give up playing football. | keep/leave your options open (=delay choosing so that you continue to have several things to choose from): I haven’t signed any contracts yet – I want to keep my options open.
   ▪ alternative one of two or more ways of doing something: Did you consider other alternatives before you moved in with Lucy? | alternative to: There is no practical alternative to our current policy. | have no alternative (=to not have a choice): He says he doesn’t want to see a doctor, but I’m afraid he has no alternative.

THESAURUS

▪ choice something or someone that has been chosen: Maria was very pleased with her choice. | first/second/third choice (=the thing you wanted most, the thing you wanted most after that etc): Greece was our first choice for a vacation, but all the flights were full. | somebody’s choice of: I don’t like his choice of friends.
▪ selection a small group of the best things that have been chosen from a larger group: selection of: She showed me a selection of her drawings. | a selection of songs from ‘West Side Story’

choice²

adjective
1. [only before noun] formal choice food is of very good quality:

choice steak

We select only the choicest apples for our pies.
2. a few choice words/phrases if you use a few choice words, you say exactly what you mean in an angry way:

He told us what he thought of the idea in a few choice words.

noun,

adjective

🔑 choice

BrE

/tʃɔɪs/

🔊

NAmE

/tʃɔɪs/

🔊

noun

🔑

[countable]

~ (between A and B)

an act of choosing between two or more possibilities; something that you can choose 选择；挑选；抉择

◆women forced to make a choice between family and career被迫在家庭和事业之间作出抉择的妇女

◆We are faced with a difficult choice. 我们面临着困难的抉择。

🔊

◆We aim to help students make more informed career choices. 我们旨在帮助学生作出更有依据的职业抉择。

🔊

◆There is a wide range of choices open to you. 你有很多选择。

🔊

<titled tranID="31" status="1">option</titled>choice ◇ alternative ◇ possibility

These are all words for sth that you choose to do in a particular situation. 以上各词均指某种情况下的选择。

option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do 指可选择的事物、选择、选择权、选择的自由：◆As I see it, we have two options… 据我看，我们有两种选择…◆Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year. 学生在二年级时可以选择出国学习。 NOTE Option is also the word used in computing for one of the choices you can make when using a computer program. * option 亦指计算机程序里的选项、选择：◆Choose the 'Cut' option from the Edit menu. 从编辑选单上选择 “剪切” 项。
choice the freedom to choose what you do; something that you can choose to have or do 指选择权、选择的自由、选择、可选择的事物：◆If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow. 如果让我选择，我明天就停止工作。◆There is a wide range of choices open to you. 你有很多选择。
alternative something that you can choose to have or do out of two or more possibilities 指可供选择的事物、其中一种选择：◆You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives. 你的工资可以按周以现金支取，或按月以支票支取。二者可选其一。

option, choice or alternative? 用 option、choice 还是 alternative？

Choice is slightly less formal than option and alternative is slightly more formal. Choice is most often used for 'the freedom to choose', although you can sometimes also use option (but not usually alternative). * choice 较 option 稍非正式，而 alternative 更正式些。表示选择权或选择的自由最常用 choice，不过有时也可用 option，但通常不用 alternative：◆If I had the choice/option, I would… 如果让我选择，我会…◆If I had the alternative, I would…◆parental choice in education 父母在教育方面的选择权◆parental option/alternative in educationThings that you can choose are options, choices or alternatives. However, alternative is more frequently used to talk about choosing between two things rather than several. 表示可选择的事物用 option、choice 或 alternative 均可。不过，alternative 较常用以指两个而非多个可选项。

possibility one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation 指某种情况下可选择的事物：◆We need to explore a wide range of possibilities. 我们需要探究各种可能的情况。◆The possibilities are endless. 可想的办法是无穷的。 NOTE Possibility can be used in a similar way to option, choice and alternative, but the emphasis here is less on the need to make a choice, and more on what is available. * possibility 的用法与 option、choice 和 alternative 相似，不过其重点主要在于可选择的事物而非需要作出选择。

Patterns

with/without the option/choice/possibility of sth
a(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternative
the only option/choice/alternative/possibility open to sb
to have a/an/the option/choice of doing sth
to have no option/choice/alternative but to do sth
a number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilities

<titled tranID="1" status="3">Giving reasons, justifying a choice<chnsep> </chnsep><chn>对选择作出解释</chn></titled>

In various exams, you are asked to make a choice and give reasons for it. In conversation or in a meeting, you need to explain and justify your decisions. 在各种考试中需要作出选择并给出理由，在谈话或会议上需要对决定加以解释，可用以下表达方式：

◆ There are two main reasons why I think it's the best option: first, there's the cost and second, the quality. 我认为这是最好的选择，主要原因有两个：第一是成本，第二是质量。
◆ I think/believe it's the right thing to do because it gives everyone a fair chance. 我认为这么做是正确的，因为这给予每个人公平的机会。
◆ I would choose the newer one on the grounds that it will last longer. 我会选择较新的那个，因为它更加耐用。
◆Of the three houses, the largest one seems to me to be the best, because they need the room. 这三栋房子中，最大的那栋在我看来是最好的，因为他们需要这么大的空间。
◆My choice would be number 3, simply because it's the clearest design. 我的选择是 3 号，原因就在于它的设计最清晰。

🔑

[uncountable

, singular]

the right to choose or the possibility of choosing 选择权；选择的可能性

◆If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow. 如果让我选择，我明天就停止工作。

🔊

◆He

had no choice

but to leave (= this was the only thing he could do). 除了离去，他别无选择。

🔊

◆She's going to do it. She doesn't have much choice, really, does she? 她就要做那件事了。她真的没有多少选择的余地了，不是吗？

🔊

◆This government is committed to extending parental choice in education. 本届政府承诺扩大父母在教育方面的选择权。

🔊

🔑

[countable]

a person or thing that is chosen 入选者；被选中的东西

◆She's the obvious choice for the job. 她是这个职位当然的人选。

🔊

◆Hawaii remains a popular choice for winter vacation travel. 夏威夷一直是深受人们青睐的冬季假日旅游胜地。

🔊

◆This colour wasn't my first choice. 这种颜色并非我的首选。

🔊

◆She wouldn't be my choice as manager. 我不会选她做经理。

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<titled tranID="16" status="1">choice</titled>favourite ◇ preference ◇ selection ◇ pick

These are all words for a person or thing that is chosen, or that is liked more than others. 以上各词均指选中或特别喜爱的人或事物。

choice a person or thing that is chosen 指入选者、选中的东西：◆She's the obvious choice for the job. 她是这个职位当然的人选。
favourite/favorite a person or thing that you like more than the others of the same type 指同类人或事物中最喜欢的一个：◆Which one's your favourite? 你最喜欢哪一个？
preference a thing that is liked better or best 指偏爱的或最喜爱的事物：◆Tastes and preferences vary from individual to individual. 人的爱好和选择各不相同。

favourite or preference? 用 favourite 还是 preference？

Your favourites are the things you like best, and that you have, do, listen to, etc. often; your preferences are the things that you would rather have or do if you can choose. * favourite 指最喜欢因而常有、常做或常听等的事物；preference 指在可以选择的情况下会较喜欢有或做的事物。

selection a number of people or things that have been chosen from a larger group 指从大群中选出来的一组人或物：◆A selection of reader's comments are published below. 下面选登了部分读者评论。
pick (rather informal) a person or thing that is chosen 指入选者、选中的东西：◆She was his pick for best actress. 她是他认为最好的女演员。