What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between decide and choose?

decide | choose |

Choose is a synonym of decide.



As verbs the difference between decide and choose

is that decide is to resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle while choose is to pick; to make the choice of; to select.

As a conjunction choose is

the binomial coefficient of the previous and following number.

As a noun choose is

the act of choosing; selection.

decide

English

Verb

(decid)
  • To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.
    • The election will be decided on foreign policies.
    We must decide our next move.
    Her last-minute goal decided the game.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; / Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.
  • To make a judgment, especially after deliberation.
    • You must decide between good and evil.
    I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.
  • * Bible, 1 Kings xx. 40
    • So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
  • To cause someone to come to a decision.
  • * 1920 , , "The Adventure of the Three Gables" (Norton edition, 2005, p. 1537),
    • It decides me to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone's while to take so much trouble, there must be something in it.
  • (obsolete) To cut off; to separate.
  • * Fuller
    • Our seat denies us traffic here; / The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    Synonyms

    * make up one's mind * choose * determine * pick

    Related terms

    * decider * decision * decisive

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words English reporting verbs English words suffixed with -cide ----

    choose

    English

    (Choice)

    Alternative forms

    * chuse

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), (m), from (etyl) .

    Verb

  • To pick; to make the choice of; to select.
  • :
  • *
  • *:The Bat—they called him the Bat. Like a bat he chose the night hours for his work of rapine; like a bat he struck and vanished, pouncingly, noiselessly; like a bat he never showed himself to the face of the day.
  • To elect.
  • :
  • To decide to act in a certain way.
  • :
  • To wish; to desire; to prefer.
  • *(Oliver Goldsmith) (1730-1774)
  • *:The landlady now returned to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment.
    • Usage notes
    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See
    Related terms
    * choice * choosey * chosen

    Conjunction

    (English Conjunctions)
  • (mathematics) The binomial coefficient of the previous and following number.
    • The number of distinct subsets of size ''k'' from a set of size ''n'' is \tbinom nk or "''n'' choose ''k''".
    See also
    * (projectlink)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (chooses)
  • (dialectal, or, obsolete) The act of choosing; selection.
  • (dialectal, or, obsolete) The power, right, or privilege of choosing; election.
  • (dialectal, or, obsolete) Scope for choice.

    • References

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * English irregular verbs 1000 English basic words