opt

1 of 2

verb

opted; opting; opts
Synonyms of optnext

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

Examples of opt in a Sentence

Verb after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The Bills opted to hold half the deck. Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Faced with a choice between keeping its existing three-night-stay minimum or obtaining state permission for a cap on the total number of vacation rentals allowed in Encinitas, a majority of the City Council opted to stick with the current night-stay requirement. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Fusco has noticed many instances in which homeowners have opted to paint their garage door blue to match their blue shutters and have been instantly turned off by this design decision. Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026 Dry Brush Before Showering for Lymphatic Drainage Skip the expensive lymphatic massage at a spa, and opt for a do-it-yourself version by dry brushing at home. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opt

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French opter, from Latin optare

First Known Use

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opt was in 1853

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opt. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

opt

verb
ˈäpt
: to make a choice

Medical Definition

opt

abbreviation
optician

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