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 impact will surprise most consumers, and those looking at higher-end phones may opt to delay purchases because of availability or prices. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 7 June 2026 Neither Sand or Lahn use their party's traditional blue or red in campaign materials, opting instead for green. ABC News, 7 June 2026 Courthouse News reported last month that 20 Democratic state attorneys general opted to skip a recent White House roundtable on combatting fraud, claiming the invitation came too late. Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026 Courthouse News reported last month that 20 Democratic state attorneys general — including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell — opted to skip a recent White House roundtable on combatting fraud, claiming the invitation came too late. Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 June 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 8 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

opt

verb
ˈäpt
: to make a choice

Medical Definition

opt

abbreviation
optician

More from Merriam-Webster on opt

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster