option

[op-shuhn]

noun

1. the power or right of choosing.

2. something that may be or is chosen; choice.

   Synonyms: election, selection

3. the act of choosing.

   Synonyms: election, selection

4. an item of equipment or a feature that may be chosen as an addition to or replacement for standard equipment and features.

   a car with a long list of extra-cost options;

   a telephoto lens option for a camera.

5. stock option.

6. a privilege acquired, as by the payment of a premium or consideration, of demanding, within a specified time, the carrying out of a transaction upon stipulated terms; the right, as granted in a contract or by an initial payment, of acquiring something in the future.

   We bought one lot and took a 90-day option on an adjoining one.

7. Football.,  a play in which a back has a choice of either passing or running with the ball.

verb (used with object)

1. to acquire or grant an option on.

   The studio has optioned his latest novel for film adaptation.

2. to provide with optional equipment.

   The car can be fully optioned at additional cost.

option

/ ˈɒpʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of choosing or deciding

2. the power or liberty to choose

3. an exclusive opportunity, usually for a limited period, to buy something at a future date

   he has a six-month option on the Canadian rights to this book

4. commerce the right to buy ( call option ) or sell ( put option ) a fixed quantity of a commodity, security, foreign exchange, etc, at a fixed price at a specified date in the future See also traded option

5. something chosen; choice

6. short for local option

7. not to commit oneself

8. See soft option

verb

1. (tr) to obtain or grant an option on

Other Word Forms

• optionable adjective
• preoption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of option¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin optiōn-, stem of optiō “choice,” equivalent to op(tāre) “to select” ( opt ) + -tiō -tion

Word History and Origins

Origin of option¹

C17: from Latin optiō free choice, from optāre to choose

Synonym Study

See choice.

Example Sentences

But does the wealth of treatment options on offer mean attitudes towards hair loss have shifted?

Read more on BBC

Local authorities were given the option to ban the use of fireworks after MSPs passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act in 2022.

Read more on BBC

Doctors, medical societies and researchers say acetaminophen remains the best option for treating fever and pain during pregnancy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I plan to use my unit mostly for high fives, and ask only for an AI Mel Blanc voice option that recalls Twiki from the old Buck Rogers in the 25th Century series.

Read more on Barron's

Still, he said he was exploring other options now that his family is stuck.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• benefit 
• choice 
• opportunity 
• preference 
• privilege 
• right