choose / choōz/ • v. (past chose / chōz/ ; past part. cho·sen / ˈchōzən/ ) [tr.] pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives: he chose a seat facing the door | [intr.] now it's my turn to choose. ∎  [intr.] decide on a course of action, typically after rejecting alternatives: I'll stay as long as I choose.DERIVATIVES: choos·er n.

choose OE. ċēosan (str. vb.) = OS., OHG. kiosan, ON. kjósa, Goth. kiusan :- Gmc. *kiusan, *kaus, *kusum, *kusanaz. The IE. base *ĝeus- *ĝus- is repr. also by L. gustāre taste, gustus, Gr. geúein give a taste of.