Choice vs. Option: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Choice refers to the act of selecting from available options, while an option is one of the available items or possibilities from which a choice can be made.
Key Differences
Choice implies the act of deciding between different options, reflecting a person's preference or decision-making process, whereas an option refers to any of the possibilities available to choose from.
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Nov 20, 2023
In making a choice, a person exercises their judgment and preference, while an option represents the alternatives or possibilities that are presented for this selection.
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Choices are made based on the options available, showing a selection process, whereas options are the constituents of this process, existing even before a choice is made.
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A choice is indicative of the final decision taken from among various options, underlining the active decision-making role, while options are passive elements presented in any decision-making scenario.
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The quality of a choice is often determined by the range and nature of options available, meaning that more or better options can lead to a more satisfactory choice.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of selecting from available alternatives
One of the available alternatives
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Role
Reflects personal preference or decision
Constituents of the selection process
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Dependency
Dependent on the range of options available
Independent elements in decision-making
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Outcome
Indicates a final decision
Remains as possibilities before a choice is made
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Choice and Option Definitions
Choice
Choice can reflect personal preference.
His choice to become a vegetarian was a health-conscious decision.
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Option
An option is a possibility or alternative.
For her vacation, she had several options including a beach or mountain retreat.
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Choice
Choice involves making a decision.
The difficult choice between two job offers took her weeks.
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Option
Option refers to something that is available to be chosen.
The software offers the option to save files in various formats.
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Choice
The act of choosing; selection
It is time to make a choice between the candidates.
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Option
Option can mean a right or ability to choose.
The contract gave him the option to renew after one year.
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Choice
The power, right, or liberty to choose; option
The teacher gave me the choice between taking an exam and writing a paper.
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Option
The act of choosing; choice
Her option was to quit school and start her own business.
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Option
The power or freedom to choose
We have the option of driving or taking the train.
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Option
The right, usually obtained for a fee, to buy or sell an asset within a specified time at a set price.
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Choice
A number or variety from which to choose
A wide choice of styles and colors.
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Option
A contract or financial instrument granting such a right
A stock option.
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Option
The right to make a movie adaptation of a literary work or play
A movie studio that purchased an option on a book.
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Option
(Baseball) The right of a major-league team to transfer a player to a minor-league team while being able to recall the player within a specified period.
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Choice
Expressive of intense disapproval
Had some choice words for the movers who dropped her antique spinet.
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Option
An item or feature that may be chosen to replace or enhance standard equipment, as in a car.
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Choice
Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef with more marbling than select cuts and less marbling than prime cuts.
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Option
(Football) An offensive play in which a back, usually the quarterback, decides during the play whether to run with the ball, throw a pass, or make a lateral, depending on the actions of the defense.
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Choice
An option; a decision; an opportunity to choose or select something.
Do I have a choice of what color to paint it?
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Option
To acquire or grant an option on
"had optioned for a film several short stories about two policemen" (Barbara Goldsmith).
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Option
(Baseball) To transfer (a major-league player) to a minor-league club on option.
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Choice
One selection or preference; that which is chosen or decided; the outcome of a decision.
The ice cream sundae is a popular choice for dessert.
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Choice
Anything that can be chosen.
You have three choices: vanilla, strawberry or chocolate
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Option
A contract giving the holder the right to buy or sell an asset at a set strike price; can apply to financial market transactions, or to ordinary transactions for tangible assets such as a residence or automobile.
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Choice
(obsolete) Care and judgement in selecting; discrimination, selectiveness.
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Option
The acquiring or retention of a nationality through personal choice as a right, bypassing selective legal mechanisms for naturalization, especially in cases where a territory is transferred or passed on from one state to another.
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Option
To purchase an option on something.
The new novel was optioned by the film studio, but they'll probably never decide to make a movie from it.
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Choice
Especially good or preferred.
It's a choice location, but you will pay more to live there.
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Option
The power of choosing; the right of choice or election; an alternative.
There is an option left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable, as a nation.
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Option
The exercise of the power of choice; choice.
Transplantation must proceed from the option of the people, else it sounds like an exile.
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Choice
Act of choosing; the voluntary act of selecting or separating from two or more things that which is preferred; the determination of the mind in preferring one thing to another; election.
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Option
A right formerly belonging to an archbishop to select any one dignity or benefice in the gift of a suffragan bishop consecrated or confirmed by him, for bestowal by himself when next vacant; - annulled by Parliament in 1845.
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Choice
The power or opportunity of choosing; option.
Choice there is not, unless the thing which we take be so in our power that we might have refused it.
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Option
A stipulated privilege, given to a party in a time contract, of demanding its fulfillment on any day within a specified limit; also, the contract giving that privelege; as, an option to buy a stock at a given price; to exercise an option.
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Choice
Care in selecting; judgment or skill in distinguishing what is to be preferred, and in giving a preference; discrimination.
I imagine they [the apothegms of Cæsar] were collected with judgment and choice.
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Option
The right to buy or sell property at an agreed price; the right is purchased and if it is not exercised by a stated date the money is forfeited
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Option
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen;
What option did I have?
There no other alternative
My only choice is to refuse
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Choice
The thing or person chosen; that which is approved and selected in preference to others; selection.
The common wealth is sick of their own choice.
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Option
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
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Choice
The best part; that which is preferable.
The flower and choiceOf many provinces from bound to bound.
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Option
In finance, an option is a contract for a future transaction.
He bought options in the stock market as part of his investment strategy.
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Choice
Worthly of being chosen or preferred; select; superior; precious; valuable.
My choicest hours of life are lost.
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Option
Option can refer to an item on a list of choices.
On the menu, the vegetarian option was a garden salad.
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Choice
Preserving or using with care, as valuable; frugal; - used with of; as, to be choice of time, or of money.
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Choice
Selected with care, and due attention to preference; deliberately chosen.
Choice word measured phrase.
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Choice
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
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Choice
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen;
What option did I have?
There no other alternative
My only choice is to refuse
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Choice
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
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Choice
Choice is the act of selecting among options.
Her choice of career was influenced by her passion for art.
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Choice
Choice can mean an excellent or preferable option.
This restaurant is my first choice for Italian cuisine.
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Choice
Choice implies the freedom to decide.
The freedom of choice is a fundamental human right.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do choice and option differ?
Choice is the act of deciding, while an option is a potential decision.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is making a choice important?
Yes, it reflects personal preference and decision-making.
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Do options vary in different contexts?
Yes, options can vary widely depending on the situation.
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Are all options always viable?
Not necessarily, some options may not be practical.
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What is an option?
One of the available possibilities from which to choose.
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Can options exist without choices?
Yes, options can exist even if no choice is made.
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Can a choice affect future options?
Yes, one choice can influence future possibilities.
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Is it possible to have no choice?
Yes, in situations where there are no options or freedom to decide.
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Are all options equally desirable?
No, options can vary in appeal based on personal preference.
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Can choices reflect values?
Yes, they often reflect personal values and beliefs.
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Can choices be changed?
Often, but it depends on the situation and the consequences.
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Is every option a possible choice?
Theoretically, yes, but practicality can limit this.
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How do choices affect outcomes?
Choices directly influence the results of a decision.
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Is choice always a conscious decision?
Generally, yes, but it can be influenced by subconscious factors.
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How do options impact decision-making?
They provide the range of possibilities for making a choice.
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Are options in finance different?
Yes, they are specific contracts for future transactions.
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Can the number of options be overwhelming?
Yes, too many options can sometimes make decision-making harder.
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Can options be created?
Yes, through creativity and exploring alternatives.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.