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candidate of choice

candidate of choice

1 3.9
The person most preferred for a job or role
  • noun
translation icon : candidato preferido
  • I understand many people are pained because their candidate of choice didn't win.

Examples

  • Among the candidates running for mayor, she is clearly the candidate of choice for the community.

  • I take no issue with people supporting their candidate of choice.

    Blog text (19)
  • F. Thompson was my candidate of choice.

    Blog text (10)
  • I doubt the average voter could give you six fact-based reasons to vote for their candidate of choice.

    Blog text (11)
  • We're hopeful this initiative will inspire all of our employees to take time out to support their candidate of choice or other causes they believe in.

    Blog text (30)
  • My candidate of choice this go-around didn't come out the victor, but I still feel incredibly blessed and optimistic.

    Blog text (16)
  • After careful consideration, we all agreed that he would be the candidate of choice for the job.

  • Many voters have expressed that their candidate of choice has the best plans for the economy.

Synonyms

choice
vscandidate of choice
1.0

One thing you pick or the act of picking from several things

is the person most preferred among contenders rather than the act itself
prospect
vscandidate of choice
104 4.4

A person who is likely to be chosen for a job or prize

is the person most preferred now among those being considered
favorite
vscandidate of choice
  • US
32 1.0

A person or thing most likely to win a contest

is the person most preferred for a role among available people
popular choice
vscandidate of choice
5 2.5

An option many people prefer

is the person most preferred for a role rather than liked by many
odds-on choice
vscandidate of choice
5.3

A person or thing most likely to be chosen, for example to win

is the person most preferred for a role, not only statistically likely

How Preferred

candidate of choice
1 3.9
candidate
564 2.3
alternate
22 3.8
fallback
4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

candidate + of + choice

The meaning 'the person most preferred' is directly derivable from combining 'candidate' (person under consideration) with 'choice' (the selected option) linked by the relational preposition 'of'. This is a regular compositional pattern and a common cross-linguistic way to express the preferred candidate, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Candidate of choice paints a simple picture: from a group of people who want the job, one person is picked and given a ribbon or a check mark. The word candidate is the person and choice shows they are the one people want, so it means 'the person most preferred'.