opted; opting; opts
: to make a choice
especially
: to decide in favor of something
opted for a tax increase —
Tom Wicker
Tom Wicker After perusing the menu he opted for the prime rib.
1
optical; optician; optics
2
option; optional
Synonyms
Examples of opt in a Sentence
Verb
after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service
Recent Examples on the WebCynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Hough, 38, opted for a light blue suit and a colorful lapel pin.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
At a meeting last month, the Fed opted to keep rates highly elevated.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Patel dressed in a minimalist suit for the event, while Cobham-Hervey opted for a flowy sundress with a floral pattern and white ruffles at the shoulder.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024
Some residents and visitors will opt to attend sporting events rather than visit a theme park.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Callie Vintage Floral Dining Bench To complete your dining room setup, opt for this floral bench for one side of the table and four coordinating chairs for the other side and ends.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
Owners can even opt for a cocktail bar with stools.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
The incumbent white congresswoman, Edna Kelly, opted to run for re-election elsewhere, and onlookers expected the open seat to go to a Black candidate.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
The board members opted to bet on taking 30 days to work it out with Ellison.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Hough, 38, opted for a light blue suit and a colorful lapel pin.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
At a meeting last month, the Fed opted to keep rates highly elevated.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
Patel dressed in a minimalist suit for the event, while Cobham-Hervey opted for a flowy sundress with a floral pattern and white ruffles at the shoulder.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024
Some residents and visitors will opt to attend sporting events rather than visit a theme park.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Callie Vintage Floral Dining Bench To complete your dining room setup, opt for this floral bench for one side of the table and four coordinating chairs for the other side and ends.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
Owners can even opt for a cocktail bar with stools.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
The incumbent white congresswoman, Edna Kelly, opted to run for re-election elsewhere, and onlookers expected the open seat to go to a Black candidate.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
French opter, from Latin optare
Phrases Containing opt
Dictionary Entries Near opt
Cite this Entry
“Opt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opt. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
opt
verbˈäpt
: to make a choice
Medical Definition
opt
abbreviation
optician
More from Merriam-Webster on opt
Nglish: Translation of opt for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of opt for Arabic Speakers
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