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

Tuchel made three changes to his starting lineup for Wednesday’s match, opting for Rogers instead of Noni Madueke on the right wing and defenders Reece James and Djed Spence in place of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Some respondents have opted to reduce their plan contributions or borrow from their 401(k)s to meet other financial goals, such as reducing debt, paying for emergency expenses or keeping up with rising living costs, according to the results. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Though a right-handed power bat would be ideal, I wouldn’t be surprised if the club opted for someone like Luis Arraez instead as a rental. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026

Kate kept it casual for a visit to the Natural History Museum in June 2021, opting for a peach Chloe Blazer, a white top and jeans. — Zoe Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 July 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