opt

1 of 2

verb

ˈäpt 

opted; opting; opts

intransitive verb

: to make a choice

especially : to decide in favor of something

… opted for a tax increase …

—Tom Wicker

After perusing the menu he opted for the prime rib.

opt

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

optical; optician; optics

2

option; optional

Synonyms of opt

Verb

• choose
• decide
• figure

Examples of opt in a Sentence

Verb

after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Whiting will fill the Group V seat being vacated by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who opted not to run for reelection. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Thinness takes a hit, as the designers have opted to make the battery user-replaceable. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026

Or, opt for the Joshua Tree dark sky UVB sun hoodie, which offers UPF protection and is tied to more than $140,000 in donations to the Joshua Tree National Park Association. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Nationally, about 6 in 10 Latino voters opted for the Democratic candidate in their local House race, according to an Associated Press exit poll. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French opter, from Latin optare

First Known Use

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing opt

• co-opt
• opt in
• opt out

Rhymes for opt

• chopped
• cropped
• dropped
• dropt
• flopped
• hopped
• lopped
• mopped
• plopped
• popped
• propped
• shopped

Kids Definition

opt

verb

ˈäpt

: to make a choice

Medical Definition

opt

abbreviation

optician