option
Americannoun
-
options
plural
-
the power or right of choosing.
-
something that may be or is chosen; choice.
-
the act of choosing.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Football. a play in which a back has a choice of either passing or running with the ball.
verb (used with object)
-
options,
present (3rd person singular)
-
optioned,
past participle, past
-
optioning
present participle
-
to acquire or grant an option on.
The studio has optioned his latest novel for film adaptation.
-
to provide with optional equipment.
The car can be fully optioned at additional cost.
noun
-
the act or an instance of choosing or deciding
-
the power or liberty to choose
-
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
-
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
-
something chosen; choice
-
short for local option
-
not to commit oneself
-
See soft option
verb
Synonym Usage
See choice.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
optionsimple
-
optionssimple
-
have optionedperfect
-
has optionedperfect
-
am optioningprogressive
-
are optioningprogressive
-
is optioningprogressive
-
have been optioningperfect progressive
-
has been optioningperfect progressive
Past
-
optionedsimple
-
had optionedperfect
-
was optioningprogressive
-
were optioningprogressive
-
had been optioningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of option
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin optiōn-, stem of optiō “choice,” equivalent to op(tāre) “to select” ( see opt) + -tiō -tion
Explanation
An option is a possibility or choice. In football, a quarterback with three wide receivers has (at least) three throwing options. An option is something that can be chosen — it's a possibility. Even something crazy — like jumping off a cliff — is always an option, just not a good one. There are lots of technical uses of option in business and legal writing. If you have the option on a house, you have the right to buy it. In sports, a free agent has the option of joining another team. No matter what you do, it's nice to have options. When we have no options, we feel trapped.
Vocabulary lists containing option
The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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!
The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 1
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!
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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!
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:
The option of real neutrality dissolved with the failure of the Maginot Line, France’s string of defensive installations along its border with Germany.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Water is your best option if you’re looking for something to sip alongside your meals.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026
Another option would be keeping the target at 80% but with flexibility for car makers extending as far as 2034.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Those folks might still be booing when they hear what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said saltily postgame: “Give me another option ... I can’t just say change him to low-leverage. I have to have options.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
I hadn’t thought finding others somewhere on a new planet was even an option.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Yet he has ultimately resisted, once again stepping back this month from options to expand strikes across Iran’s critical infrastructure and leadership.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
Among the brand’s options is a zero-proof Negroni containing lion’s mane, a mushroom said to promote brain and nerve health.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
“They’re more aware of the non-alcoholic options, so it’s not so much the getting wasted, but it’s more just having fun, not necessarily boozy fun. They’re just doing it for themselves.”
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
The priciest options are designed especially for athletes, and Dos Santos -- who himself lost two legs in a car accident -- has visited this cohort following the quakes.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
“Some other people I know also applied, so I decided to go for it. Keep my options open. Won’t hurt anyone to try, right?”
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Alex Freeland was optioned to triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
In a pair of corresponding moves, the Dodgers optioned pitcher Kyle Hurt to triple-A Oklahoma City and designated pitcher Charlie Barnes for assignment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
Land has been optioned by the same producer behind Hamnet, and O'Farrell confirms she plans to write the screenplay.
From BBC ● May 22, 2026
PulteGroup’s “rich” supply of optioned lots “allows for incrementally more efficient capital allocation from the management team and, in our view, likely keeps PHM as a top share repurchaser in our group,” he wrote.
From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026
Somebody'd optioned another planet in the same system, and I hadn't counted on the competition.
From Citadel by H. R. van Dongen
Santos clearly wants — and understands how to get — attention, and his Ziwe interview and HBO’s optioning of Chiusano’s book show that the entertainment industry recognizes his potential, at least as a character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023
David’s contract was selected again by the Angels last weekend, one of many infield moves that included a trade for Eduardo Escobar and optioning Jared Walsh and Michael Stefanic to triple A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2023
Orioles: Baltimore reinstated Bradish from the injured list after optioning RHP Logan Gillaspie to Triple-A Norfolk.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 19, 2023
Notes: The Nationals made three more cuts Tuesday, optioning outfielder Stone Garrett and lefty reliever Jose Ferrer to Rochester and reassigning infielder Leonel Valera to minor league camp.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 21, 2023
He spent two days in interviewing a dozen of them, and found little difficulty optioning their stock at a pleasant figure.
From Scattergood Baines by Clarence Budington Kelland
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.
