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.
optative.
optical.
optician.
optics.
optional.
First recorded in 1875–80; from French opter “to choose, divide,” from Latin optāre “to wish for, desire, pray for, choose, select”
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.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That is largely because some with low-risk prostate cancer opt instead for active monitoring, rather than immediate treatment, since these cancers are very slow growing and may not cause harm.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
This is money you can only access in retirement, so if money is really tight then you can opt out and have the money in your wages now.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
U.K. antitrust regulators said they would allow publishers to opt out of feeding their content to power artificial-intelligence features in Google’s online searches.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
The Fed may also need to maintain more flexibility in its forward guidance, such as using opt out clauses, according to Forbes.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
Granddaddy had told me about the wasp that could opt to be male or female while in a larval stage.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
