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

At the beginning of the tour, Bibbs experimented with color in her hair for the first time, opting for bright-red braids that stood out under the glow of the stage lights. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026

When the Pennsylvania native showed up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the first day of principal photography in 2013, the original director opted to bail on the proceeding. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

But shoppers can still find deals by comparing prices, buying in bulk and opting for a mix of chocolate and non-chocolate sweets. — Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

In the congressional district in which Tijerina is running, Texas' 28th, voters opted for Trump by 7 percentage points, after backing President Joe Biden four years earlier. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 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