second choice
Not first pick
Second choice is the option you take when your first preference isn't available or doesn't work out.
It often carries a sense of settling: I didn't get into my top school, so I went with my second choice.
To call someone a second choice suggests they weren't preferred, which can sting: No one wants to feel like a second choice.
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
- runner upOne who placed second
- alternateOccur in succession
next in line · fallback · safety net · plan B · plan C · consolation · substitute · reserve · understudy · silver medal · settling · settling for less · compromise · also-ran · also ran · option · replacement · bench
- selection statusselected, unselected, unchosen, picked, rejected
- secondarysecondary, backup plan, plan B, alternate, substitute
- caucusdelegates, delegate count, precinct, realignment, viability
- votingballot, vote, voters, ballots, voter
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- Deputiesdeputy, lieutenant, number two, vice president, deputy director
second choicefirst choice
Most preferred option
top choice · favorite · first pick · top pick · number one
second choiceplan A
Preferred course of action
only choice · go-to · default · one and only · no-brainer
second, choice, seconds, seconded, seconding, secondly, choices, choose, chose