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

Verb

• choose
• conclude
• decide
• determine
• figure
• name
• resolve
• settle (on or upon)

Examples of opt in a Sentence

Verb

after that near catastrophe, they opted to reinstate the telephone service

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Knicks then got bailed out by the baseline official who opted against calling a foul on Josh Hart, who bumped Tim Hardaway Jr. on a three-point shot as time expired. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

Cooper kept to his casual but coiffed sense of style, opting for a leather Super Bowl sports jacket, with a navy corduroy shirt and matching pants, and chunky black boots. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2025

Admission is $15 for adults arriving on their own via Old Seven or $28 for those who opt to ride a tourist train from a parking lot a few miles back. —Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025

For the occasion, Collins opted to go classic with her attire. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Apr. 2025

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