2 syllables: choi, ces. Stress on choi.
CHOY-suhz
/ˈtʃɔɪsəz/
choices is pronounced CHOY-suhz (/ˈtʃɔɪsəz/). It has two syllables (choi-ces), with the stress on "choi". Choices refers to the options or selections presented in a given situation. It can denote the act of selecting one or more alternatives, or the range of available possibilities. In everyday use, it also carries nuances of autonomy and decision-making, from casual preferences to significant life decisions.
Choices refers to the options or selections presented in a given situation. It can denote the act of selecting one or more alternatives, or the range of available possibilities. In everyday use, it also carries nuances of autonomy and decision-making, from casual preferences to significant life decisions.
Practice approach: isolate /tʃ/ then /ɔɪ/ and /z/ in slow drills, then combine in sequences: /tʃɔɪ.zɪz/ and linked phrases like “choices you make.” Gradually increase speed while preserving clarity.
"She faced a tough choice, but the best choice was to pursue further studies."
"The restaurant menu offers several healthy choices for vegetarians."
"In this poll, voters can make multiple choices about their favorite features."
Pronounce it as /ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz/. Start with the CH sound, then ɔɪ as in “boy” to form /ˈtʃɔɪ/. The second syllable is /sɪz/, where /s/ precedes a voiced /ɪ/ plus /z/ at the end. The stress is on the first syllable. Tip: keep the /ɔɪ/ diphthong compact, and finish with a quick /z/ to blend smoothly into speech.
Common errors include mispronouncing the diphthong /ɔɪ/ as a simple /ɒ/ or /oʊ/, or slipping from /tʃ/ to /t/ too abruptly. Another frequent slip is pronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ in rapid speech, which can sound lispy. To correct: practice /ˈtʃɔɪ/ as a tight, rounded diphthong then clearly voice the final /z/. Ensure the tongue tip lightly touches near the alveolar ridge for /z/ with a voiced fricative. Use minimal pairs to solidify the /z/ ending.
In US, UK, and AU accents, the initial /tʃ/ and /ɔɪ/ are consistent, but vowel quality can vary: US tends to slightly lower the /ɔɪ/ nucleus and keep a tighter /ɪ/ in /sɪz/. UK may show a crisper /tʃ/ release and slightly broader /ɔɪ/. Australian often features a more centralized /ɔɪ/ and a lighter /z/ at the end, with less lip rounding. Overall, the rhoticity doesn’t affect this word much, but vowel shifts and vowel length nuance can color the diphthong subtly.
The challenge rests in coordinating the affricate onset /tʃ/ with the high, rounded /ɔɪ/ diphthong and the final voiced /z/. The sequence creates a multi-phoneme transition that can blur in fast speech. Additionally, the ending /z/ requires voicing and a compact release after a mid-front vowel, which some speakers carry into a more sibilant /s/ or a voiceless /z/ miscue. Clear practice of the /ɔɪ/ nucleus and final /z/ helps stabilize pronunciation.
Tip: Begin with a tight /tʃ/ onset, keep your tongue high for /ɔɪ/, then relax into a short, crisp /z/. Visualize the mouth closing and then the voice continuing on the zibilant sound. You’ll hear a small pause between /ɔɪ/ and /z/ in careful speech; in fast speech, the transition is quicker, so practice with connected speech drills to maintain accuracy.
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Choices derives from the Middle English word choys, from Old French choix, meaning “choice, selection,” which itself comes from the Latin legere, meaning “to choose.” The plural form choices developed to indicate multiple options, aligning with the English plural -es suffix that marks a count of items. Over time, the sense expanded from singular “a choice” to the collective sense of “the range of possibilities.” The modern plural usage implies not just the act of selecting but also the available options. First known written uses appear in legal and philosophical contexts where choices and alternatives were discussed, and by the 16th century, the term was common in literature dealing with decision-making and preference. In contemporary English, “choices” frequently collocates with verbs like have, make, face, present, or limit, and adjectives like wide, limited, poor, or informed. The word’s movement from concrete selection to abstract preference mirrors broader cultural shifts toward individual autonomy and diverse options in modern societies.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "choices" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "choices"
-ces sounds
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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