opt
verb (used without object)
to make a choice; choose (usually followed byfor ).
opt
1 American
[opt]
/ ɒpt /
verb (used without object)
-
opts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
opted,
past participle, past
-
opting
present participle
verb phrase
-
opt in to decide to make use of or take part in something.
To receive automatic updates, opt in under the email notification section.
-
opt out to decide to withdraw from or not take part in something.
You can opt out of the pension plan, but you lose the employer and government contribution.
opt.
2
American
abbreviation
-
optative.
-
optical.
-
optician.
-
optics.
-
optional.
opt
British
/ ɒpt /
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
optsimple
-
optssimple
-
have optedperfect
-
has optedperfect
-
am optingprogressive
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are optingprogressive
-
is optingprogressive
-
have been optingperfect progressive
-
has been optingperfect progressive
Past
-
optedsimple
-
had optedperfect
-
was optingprogressive
-
were optingprogressive
-
had been optingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of opt
First recorded in 1875–80; from French opter “to choose, divide,” from Latin optāre “to wish for, desire, pray for, choose, select”
Explanation
To opt is to choose. Given the alternative, most kids will opt for a cupcake over a ham sandwich. When you're signing up for next semester's classes, you might opt for another history class, or instead opt for advanced biology. Whenever you have more than one alternative, you have the chance to opt for something. You can also opt out of something, or choose not to do it at all. Opt comes from the French verb opter, "to choose," from the Latin root optare, "desire," and it's related to option.
Vocabulary lists containing opt
Persepolis
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for October 24–30, 2020
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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Facing stiff opposition from the state teachers’ association, the State Board compromised by allowing parents of retention-eligible students to opt out if their child takes a state-approved reading intervention course.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Its golfers, including star names like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, can now opt to leave, rather than being obliged to see out their contracts in LIV 2.0 which is aiming to launch next year.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The owner of a nearby indoor playground says families who have to lug strollers and diaper bags alongside small tots typically won’t opt for the bus over a car.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
The legislation includes a requirement that platforms allow users to "opt out" of powerful algorithms that determine what comes up on social media feeds.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
I didn't want to just opt out, or play sick, or cross my name off the organizers' matchmaking list.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Spenser. dim. diminutive. opp. opposed. subj. subjunctive. dub. doubtful. opt. optics. suff. suffix. eccles. ecclesiastical history. orig. originally. superl. superlative. e.g. for example. ornith. ornithology. surg. surgery. elect. electricity.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Although this latter edition be called the edit. opt. it will be evident that the editio originalis is yet a desideratum in every bibliographical collection.
From Bibliomania; or Book-Madness A Bibliographical Romance by Thomas Frognall Dibdin
Rhei opt. aa. ℈i. ol. junip. gutt. xvi. syr. bals. q. s. f. mass. in pil. xxiv. divid.
From An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses With Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases by William Withering
While quarterly rebalancing changes are always expected to be announced on the first Friday of the last month of the quarter, it’s worth noting that the index committee sometimes opts against making any changes.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
Still, Ava opts for a charcoal-gray, strapless Alberta Ferretti frock to showcase her chameleonic style and capacity to surprise sartorially.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
It is a game of trade-offs and Tuchel will have to decide whether he opts to drop off or defend more aggressively.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Picture this: Rick, a middle-aged daily commuter who enjoys podcasts and occasionally takes calls from his teenager, opts for audio-only smartglasses because he doesn’t like the feel of earbuds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Woo opts to see how the webbing tastes.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
The full hysterectomy would have triggered an early menopause as well as other effects, so the inquest was told that Sarah opted for the less invasive procedure.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Last month, the state opted not to file charges because of a lack of sufficient evidence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
At the press conference, Farage said that Channel 4 had opted to bleep the names, rather than broadcast them was because Jukes' claims were "simply not true".
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
More than 140,000 users in London have already opted in to boost their chances of getting matched with a Wayve vehicle, the companies said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Even if two kids didn’t get along, they usually opted for each other over the strange new girl.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Frustrated homeowners are responding in two major ways: forgoing insurance, or opting for higher deductibles.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026
Australians could be given the option of opting out of powerful social media algorithms under new legislation cracking down on big tech, a minister said Monday.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
Her regulars are not happy: some opting to take their tea black - but many will not.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Historically low inventory—the result of homeowners opting to stay put to preserve their lower mortgage rates—has also boosted asking prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
But Nick bypasses everything comfortable, opting instead for the floor, where he crosses his legs and starts tuning his guitar.
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
