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Choice

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means an act of choosing; excellent in quality

Where does the word "choice" come from? It comes from Frankish kausjan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kausjan
Frankish · ancient
"to test, taste"
a Frankish verb related to English 'choose'
2
Stage 2 of 3
chois
Old French · medieval
"choice"
'choisir', to choose, is its verb
3
Stage 3 of 3
choice
English · 1300s
"an act of choosing"
'choice' as an adjective, 'excellent', dates from the 1300s too
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Read the full story

Choice’s story begins in Frankish: kausjan meant “to test, taste.” A Frankish verb related to English 'choose'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chois. 'choisir', to choose, is its verb. It reached English by 1300s as choice. 'choice' as an adjective, 'excellent', dates from the 1300s too. Today, choice means an act of choosing; excellent in quality.