choose and select share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. choose means “pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives”. select means “of superior grade”. choose is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈtʃuz/
1.v.pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
“Take any one of these cards”
2.v.select as an alternative over another
“I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant”
3.v.see fit or proper to act in a certain way; decide to act in a certain way
“She chose not to attend classes and now she failed the exam”
/səˈlɛkt/
1.adj.of superior grade
“choice wines”
2.adj.selected or chosen for special qualifications
“the blue-ribbon event of the season”
3.v.pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
“Take any one of these cards”
| choose | select | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈtʃuz/ | /səˈlɛkt/ |
| Said | chooz | suh-LEKT |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | verb | adjective, verb |
| Senses | 3 | 3 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | take, select, pick out | choice, prime, prize |
Full entry for choose · Full entry for select · More comparisons