Choosiness: meaning, definitions and examples

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choosiness

[ˈtʃuːzɪnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in decision-making

The quality of being very careful about what you like or what choices you make, often to an extent that is seen as excessive or unreasonable.

Synonyms

discrimination, pickiness, selectiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
choosiness	Often used in casual or informal settings where someone is being very particular or fussy about their preferences, especially in food, shopping, or dating. Her choosiness about clothes makes shopping trips very long. He showed a lot of choosiness in selecting a restaurant for dinner.
pickiness	Usually applied in informal contexts to describe someone who is overly selective or difficult to please, often with a slightly negative connotation. His pickiness about food makes cooking meals challenging. Their pickiness when choosing a holiday destination resulted in a delayed decision.
selectiveness	Used in both formal and informal settings to indicate someone who has specific criteria or standards, generally perceived as more neutral or positive. The selectiveness of the committee ensures only the best candidates are chosen. Her selectiveness in hiring new staff means the team is very skilled.
discrimination	Typically used in more serious or formal contexts, often relating to unjust or prejudiced treatment based on certain characteristics like race, gender, age, etc. It carries a negative connotation. The company has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination. She faced discrimination at work due to her disability.

Examples of usage

Her choosiness when it comes to food is well-known among her friends.
His choosiness in selecting a new car delayed the purchase process.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in relationships

The trait of being very selective or particular when it comes to choosing romantic partners or friends.

Synonyms

fastidiousness, fussiness, selectivity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
choosiness	Used when someone is being very careful or particular about what they accept or choose. It often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation. Her choosiness made it hard to find a restaurant she liked
selectivity	Used in a positive way to describe the quality of being careful about what you choose, often in academic, professional, or scientific contexts. The university's selectivity ensures that only the best students are admitted
fastidiousness	Implies extreme attention to detail and a tendency to be very careful about cleanliness or correctness. Often has a positive connotation in professional or artistic contexts, but can seem overly meticulous or picky in everyday situations. His fastidiousness in his work ensures everything is perfect, but it can also make him hard to please
fussiness	Carries a negative connotation and is used when someone is overly concerned with minor details or is difficult to satisfy. It suggests unnecessary or excessive concern. The child's fussiness over food made dinner time a challenge every night

Examples of usage

Her choosiness in relationships often leads to being single for long periods.
His choosiness in friendships sometimes makes it hard for him to connect with others.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'choose' comes from the Old English 'ceosan', which means 'to select' or 'to pick'.
The suffix '-iness' indicates a quality or state, making 'choosiness' refer to the state of being selective.
The concept of choosiness can be traced back to discussions on decision-making in early philosophy.

Psychology

Research in cognitive psychology suggests that being overly choosy can lead to analysis paralysis, making decision-making harder.
Social psychologists note that choosiness can stem from self-esteem levels; people often choose based on perceived value.
The phenomenon of 'choice overload' occurs when too many options lead to greater choosiness, resulting in dissatisfaction.

Cultural Influences

In consumer culture, choosiness is often promoted as a desirable trait due to marketing strategies showcasing exclusivity.
Different cultures have varying perceptions of choosiness; for instance, some may celebrate selectivity while others may value acceptance and adaptability.
In dating, choosiness is frequently discussed, with some cultures embracing the idea of having high standards.

Behavioral Economics

The concept of choice architecture in behavioral economics shows how the presentation of choices affects levels of choosiness.
People tend to be more choosy with resources they perceive as limited or valuable, reflecting the scarcity principle.
In economic theory, choosiness can lead to strategic decision-making, affecting market dynamics and consumer behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "choosiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escolha exigente

🇮🇳 चयनशीलता

🇩🇪 Wählerischkeit

🇮🇩 pilih-pilih

🇺🇦 вибагливість

🇵🇱 wybredność

🇯🇵 選り好み

🇫🇷 exigence

🇪🇸 exigencia

🇹🇷 seçicilik

🇰🇷 선택적임

🇸🇦 انتقائية

🇨🇿 vybíravost

🇸🇰 vyberavosť

🇨🇳 挑剔

🇸🇮 izbirčnost

🇮🇸 vandlæti

🇰🇿 таңдағыштық

🇬🇪 არჩევითობა

🇦🇿 seçicilik

🇲🇽 exigencia