choice
noun
tʃɔɪs 
tʃɔɪs 
1 [countable] choice (between A and B) an act of choosing between two or more possibilities; something that you can choosewomen forced to make a choice between family and careerWe are faced with a difficult choice.We aim to help students make more informed career choices.Resources are finite, and choices have to be made between competing priorities and needs.There is a wide range of choices open to you.2 [uncountable, singular] the right to choose or the possibility of choosingIf I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow.He had no choice but to leave (= this was the only thing he could do).She's going to do it. She doesn't have much choice, really, does she?This government is committed to extending parental choice in education.After a delicious meal with free wine, the choice is yours: a quiet drink in the bar, the late night disco or a stroll along the beach beneath a starry sky.Sandy had to tell his tale in halting Italian. Since Franco spoke no English, he had no choice in the matter.3 [countable] a person or thing that is chosenShe's the obvious choice for the job.Hawaii remains a popular choice for winter vacation travel.This colour wasn't my first choice.She wouldn't be my choice as manager.I don't like his choice of friends (= the people he chooses as his friends).4 [singular, uncountable] the number or range of different things from which to chooseThe menu has a good choice of desserts.There wasn't much choice of colour. see also Hobson's choice, multiple-choiceIdioms
by choice
because you have chosen
I wouldn't go there by choice.of choice (for somebody/something)
(used after a noun) that is chosen by a particular group of people or for a particular purposeIt's the software of choice for business use.of your choice
that you choose yourself
First prize will be a meal for two at the restaurant of your choice.
Usage note: optionchoice alternative possibilityThese are all words for something that you choose to do in a particular situation.option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do: As I see it, we have two options… ◇ Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year. Option is also the word used in computing for one of the choices you can make when using a computer program: Choose the ‘Cut’ option from the Edit menu.choice the freedom to choose what you do; something that you can choose to have or do: If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow. ◇ There is a wide range of choices open to you.alternative something that you can choose to have or do out of two or more possibilities: You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives.option, choice or 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): If I had the choice/option, I would… ◇ If I had the alternative, I would… ◇ parental choice in education ◇ parental option/alternative in education. Things 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.possibility one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation: We need to explore a wide range of possibilities. ◇ The possibilities are endless. 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.with/without the option/choice/possibility of somethinga(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternativethe only option/choice/alternative/possibility open to somebodyto have a/an/the option/choice of doing somethingto have no option/choice/alternative but to do somethinga number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilitiesUsage note: choicefavourite preference selection pickThese are all words for a person or thing that is chosen, or that is liked more than others.choice a person or thing that is chosen: She's the obvious choice for the job.favourite/favorite a person or thing that you like more than the others of the same type: Which one's your favourite?preference a thing that is liked better or best: Tastes and preferences vary from individual to individual.favourite or 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.selection a number of people or things that have been chosen from a larger group: A selection of reader's comments are published below.pick (rather informal, especially North American English) a person or thing that is chosen: She was his pick for best actress.somebody's choice/favourite/pick for somethingsomebody's choice/selection/pick as somethingan obvious choice/favourite/selectiona(n) excellent/good/popular/fine choice/selection