choosy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tʃˈuːsi/
US
- /ˈtʃuzi/
Description
- picky
- selective
- fussy
If someone is choosy, they are careful about what they choose and don't accept just anything. A cat can be choosy about its food—turning up its nose at some flavors while gobbling others down! Being choosy isn't always a bad thing; it means you have standards. But too choosy can mean missing out on good opportunities because you're waiting for something "perfect." Think of Goldilocks—she was very choosy about her porridge, chairs, and beds!
The word suggests a deliberate selection process, often implying a desire for the best or most suitable option. You might be choosy about your friends, your clothes, or even which movie to watch on a Friday night. It's all about having preferences and not settling for less than you want.
To be choosy means to be particular or selective in making choices; it implies a careful consideration of options and a tendency to reject those that don't meet specific standards. It's more than just liking something—it's about having preferences and being unwilling to settle for anything less than what you desire.
You might describe a child as choosy if they only eat certain foods, or a shopper as choosy if they spend hours comparing prices before making a purchase. "He's very choosy about the books he reads," suggests he has refined tastes and isn't easily impressed.
However, "choosy" can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying fussiness or excessive pickiness. Someone who is too choosy might be seen as difficult to please or unrealistic in their expectations. "She was so choosy that she never found a partner," suggests her high standards prevented her from forming a relationship.
The word often appears when discussing preferences related to taste, style, quality, or suitability. It's about having options and actively choosing the ones that best align with your desires.
So whether it's selecting the perfect avocado at the grocery store or carefully curating your social circle, being choosy is all about exercising your right to choose—and holding out for what you truly want.
Examples
- 1
Food preferences
Mia is choosy about what she eats, so we checked the menu first.
- 2
Hiring
The company is very choosy when it hires new staff.
- 3
Brands
I'm not choosy about brands as long as the laptop works well.
- 4
Social choices
He's choosy about who he spends time with.
- 5
Housing options
With apartments in this area, you can't be too choosy.
Phrase
can't be too choosy
cannot demand exactly what you want
- 6
Proverb
Beggars can't be choosers.
Phrase
Beggars can't be choosers
if you need something badly, you may have to accept what is available
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- choosyadjective