choosy

Everyday

(informal) Very careful about what you choose, and hard to please, especially about food, clothes or friends. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it describes picky eaters and shoppers. Phrases: «Beggars can't be choosers», meaning if you need help you must accept what you are given. In nature lessons, some animals are «choosy» about mates or food. It can be a fair or a slightly critical word.

Examples

• My little brother is choosy about his food. tree →
• Cats can be very choosy eaters. tree →
• She is choosy about which books she reads. tree →
• Don't be so choosy, just pick a sweet! tree →
• The female bird is choosy about her mate. tree →
• You can't be choosy when you are starving. tree →

Note

Informal adjective: choose + -y (drop the e). Comparatives: choosier, choosiest. Similar: picky, fussy. Spelling trap: choosy, not «choosey» (that spelling is sometimes seen but less common).