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
-
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:
States have long had the option to opt out of daylight saving time with congressional approval, although most of America observes it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2026
Clubs could potentially opt to reject an offer which would include the Saturday 3pm games.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
Many market participants had anticipated that Moody’s could opt to downgrade France.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
To drive builders to construct eligible homes, the measure would allow them to opt into a “qualified builder” option.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
I opt for something a little safer instead.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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
If Riyadh opts to respond decisively—not just symbolically, which would leave de-escalation on the table—then Saudi leadership must decide what that means.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
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
By contrast, the Daily Mail opts for a much simpler single-word headline "Inferno" across a picture of burning houses in the West Midlands.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 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
I can almost see the million thoughts spinning behind her eyes, but she opts to sign, “What is that? It doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen before.”
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Wales opted instead to appoint Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh spoke to the trend on Wednesday after the central bank opted not to hike interest rates in October.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026
In some cases, rerouting flights has added hours to flight times; in other cases airlines have opted for shorter alternative routes that carry their own risks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
It also helped it not feel awkward or gratuitous when he and the producers opted not to recast the Parton half of the song and instead let her voice carry through the speakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Knowing Riddle’s fickleness, he opted not to call him directly to negotiate in private; with only the two of them talking, there would be few consequences to backing out.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
At Cabrio, a 5th-district newcomer specializing in small plates and natural wines, head chef Tamás Albrecht pickles in-house, opting for a fruitier vinegar than Hungarians traditionally prefer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Chuwi famously doesn’t produce using live instruments, opting instead to build the music from the ground up with digital workstations and programs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
But artists in the genre have often moved away from albums, opting instead to release EPs and singles.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
He expects to see U.S. strikes intensifying in the coming months, and then both the U.S. and Iran opting for negotiations due to a “lack of economic and political capabilities to support a longer war.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
Suddenly he charged, opting for a rapid assault this time.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
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