adjective

pro-choice

proh-CHOYS

Pro-choice (adjective) means supporting the position that a pregnant person, rather than the state, should decide whether to continue a pregnancy, and that abortion should be legally available. Example: “She has voted with pro-choice colleagues on every reproductive health bill.”

adjective

Supporting the position that a pregnant person, rather than the state, should decide whether to continue a pregnancy, and that abortion should be legally available.

"She has voted with pro-choice colleagues on every reproductive health bill."

"The march drew pro-choice groups from across the state."

noun

A person holding that position, or the movement made up of such people.

"Pro-choicers organised clinic escorts within a week of the ruling."

How to Use Pro-choice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBelieving abortion should be legal and the decision belongs to the pregnant person.

When to use it

Both pro-choice and pro-life are movement self-descriptions, so news organisations often prefer the neutral phrasings 'abortion rights supporters' and 'abortion opponents' in reporting.

Memory tip

Pro-choice is about who decides, not about approving of abortion; many people who call themselves pro-choice would not have one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

pro-life pro-abortion anti-abortion

Common pairings

pro-choice movement pro-choice activist pro-choice legislation identify as pro-choice

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has voted with _____ colleagues on every reproductive health bill.

Etymology

From pro-, from Latin pro meaning 'in favour of', plus choice; formed as a movement label in parallel with pro-life.

Origin: Latin and English

Synonyms

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pro-abortion-rights pro-reproductive-rights

Antonyms

pro-life anti-abortion

Rhymes for pro-choice

ice rice mice dice nice vice trice voice price twice juice spice

See all rhymes for pro-choice →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pro-choice and pro-life?

Pro-choice holds that the decision about continuing a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant person and that abortion should be legal. Pro-life holds that the embryo or foetus has a right to life that the law should protect, and that abortion should be restricted or banned. Each label was chosen by the movement it describes.

Is pro-choice the same as pro-abortion?

No, and pro-choice campaigners reject the equation. Pro-choice is a position on who has the legal authority to decide; it is compatible with personal moral objections to abortion. Pro-abortion would imply advocating abortion as an outcome, which is not what the movement argues for.

Why do journalists avoid the terms pro-choice and pro-life?

Because both are advocacy labels designed to frame the debate favourably, and using them lets one side define the terms. Style guides at several major news agencies recommend descriptive alternatives such as 'supports abortion rights' and 'opposes abortion'.