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

Seattle's 10th penalty of the game then pushed the Seahawks back five yards on a delay of game, and after two ensuring incompletions Seattle opted for a short field goal by Jason Myers to take the lead. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

Nora has a beer with dinner, while Thomas opts for an apple juice… that comes in a box. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Audiences are increasingly opting for these more expensive PLF screenings and have yet to be deterred by the price tag. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

While networks have reporters on the ground for the political event, some of the newsiest aspects of the event so far have been on GOP candidates in tight races who have opted to stay away amid the president’s sagging poll numbers. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Sep. 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