Choice
Choice involves decision making. It can include judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one or more of them. One can make a choice between imagined options (“What would I do if…?”) or between real options followed by the corresponding action. For example, a traveller might choose a route for a journey based on the preference of arriving at a given destination as soon as possible. The preferred (and therefore chosen) route can then follow from information such as the length of each of the possible routes, traffic conditions, etc. The arrival at a choice can include more complex motivators such as cognition, instinct, and feeling.
Simple choices might include what to eat for dinner or what to wear on a Saturday morning – choices that have relatively low-impact on the chooser’s life overall. More complex choices might involve (for example) what candidate to vote for in an election, what profession to pursue, a life partner, etc. – choices based on multiple influences and having larger ramifications.
Freedom of choice is generally cherished, whereas a severely limited or artificially restricted choice can lead to discomfort with choosing, and possibly an unsatisfactory outcome. In contrast, a choice with excessively numerous options may lead to confusion, regret of the alternatives not taken, and indifference in an unstructured existence;
and the illusion that choosing an object or a course, necessarily leads to the control of that object or course, can cause psychological problems.
Choice (noun)
An option; a decision; an opportunity to choose or select something.
“Do I have a choice of what color to paint it?”
Choice (noun)
The power to choose.
“She didn’t leave us much choice.”
Choice (noun)
One selection or preference; that which is chosen or decided; the outcome of a decision.
“The ice cream sundae is a popular choice for dessert.”
Choice (noun)
Anything that can be chosen.
“You have three choices: vanilla, strawberry or chocolate”
Choice (noun)
The best or most preferable part.
Choice (noun)
Care and judgement in selecting; discrimination, selectiveness.
Choice (noun)
A sufficient number to choose among.
Choice (adjective)
Especially good or preferred.
“It’s a choice location, but you will pay more to live there.”
Choice (adjective)
Cool; excellent.
“Choice! I’m going to the movies.”
Choice (adjective)
Careful in choosing; discriminating.
Alternative (adjective)
Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.
“an alternative proposition”
Alternative (adjective)
Not traditional, outside the mainstream, underground.
“alternative medicine}}; m|en|alternative lifestyle; {{m|en|alternative rock”
Alternative (adjective)
Other; different from something else.
Alternative (adjective)
Alternate, reciprocal.
Alternative (noun)
A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities. from 17th c.
Alternative (noun)
One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen. from 17th c.
Alternative (noun)
The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted. from 18th c.
Choice (noun)
an act of choosing between two or more possibilities
“the choice between good and evil”
Choice (noun)
the right or ability to choose
“I had to do it, I had no choice”
Choice (noun)
a range of possibilities from which one or more may be chosen
“you can have a sofa made in a choice of forty fabrics”
Choice (noun)
a thing or person which is chosen
“this disk drive is the perfect choice for your computer”
Choice (adjective)
(especially of food) of very good quality
“he picked some choice early plums”
Choice (adjective)
(of words or language) rude and abusive
“he had a few choice words at his command”
Alternative (adjective)
(of one or more things) available as another possibility or choice
“the various alternative methods for resolving disputes”
Alternative (adjective)
(of two things) mutually exclusive
“the facts fit two alternative scenarios”
Alternative (adjective)
relating to activities that depart from or challenge traditional norms
“an alternative lifestyle”
Alternative (noun)
one of two or more available possibilities
“audiobooks are an interesting alternative to reading”
“she had no alternative but to break the law”