opt

play

verb \ ˈäpt \

Definition of opt

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.

See opt defined for English-language learners

See opt defined for kids

Examples of opt in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of opt from the Web

After several instances of interjections from the crowd, the board adjourned the meeting, eventually opting to allow individuals to ask questions themselves.

— kate magill, Laurel Leader, "Savage Mill development debate continues," 30 Aug. 2017
Rather than repair or replace it at that time, the village opted to remove it.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tinley considers beefing up network of surveillance cameras," 30 Aug. 2017
However, the Bears opted to go for the lead and failed on the conversion.

— steve bittenbender, The Courier-Journal, "Late score the difference for DeSales in close win over Butler," 25 Aug. 2017
Collins didn't seek re-election, opting to run for a seat on the Birmingham City Council.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Story lines from the Birmingham BOE election," 23 Aug. 2017
Naturally, the Red Wings were quick to disavow—and threaten to sue— the neo-Nazis who'd co-opted their logo.

— gabrielle bruney, Esquire, "White Supremacists Stole the Detroit Red Wings Logo," 13 Aug. 2017
Indeed, Spicer reportedly opted out of holding press briefings on camera because his boss relentlessly judged them from the West Wing.

— vanityfair.com, "Sean Spicer on Dancing With the Stars? A Pro Promises Easier Judges Than Trump," 27 July 2017
Gore worried that a U.S. withdrawal from the treaty would compel other nations to opt out of the historical pact for adopting clean energy solutions.

— john carucci, The Seattle Times, "Al Gore on ‘Inconvenient Sequel,’ Trump, and the environment," 25 July 2017
Instead, the GOP has opted for a much more insulated approach to mathematics.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "The GOP Escalates Its Battle With the CBO," 22 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of opt

French opter, from Latin optare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1853

See Words from the same year

opt Synonyms

Synonyms

choose, conclude, determine, figure, name, decide, resolve, settle (on or upon)

Related Words

decree, rule; cull, elect, handpick, pick, prefer, select, single (out); adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, find, judge, referee, rule (on), umpire; chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, meditate, mull (over), ponder, question, ruminate, study, think (about or over), weigh

Near Antonyms

abstain, decline, refuse, reject, turn down; delay, halt, hesitate, stall, temporize; shilly-shally, vacillate, waffle, waver

opt

abbreviation

Definition of opt

1 optical; optician; optics

2 option; optional

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

OPT Defined for English Language Learners

opt

play

verb

Definition of opt for English Language Learners

: to choose one thing instead of another

Medical Dictionary

opt

abbreviation

medical Definition of opt

optician

Learn More about opt

See words that rhyme with opt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for opt Spanish Central: Translation of opt Nglish: Translation of opt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of opt for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up opt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

opt

Definition of opt

From the M-W Editors

Examples of opt in a Sentence

Recent Examples of opt from the Web

Origin and Etymology of opt

opt Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

opt

Definition of opt

Other Business Terms

Phrases Related to OPT

Related Phrases

OPT Defined for English Language Learners

opt

Definition of opt for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

opt

medical Definition of opt

Learn More about opt

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066