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

If the outside shearling details don’t call to you, opt for the Ellis loafer style. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 28 Oct. 2026

To make the most out of the existing square footage, Ghera opted for a platform bed and floating nightstands to avoid clutter and improve flow. — Nicole Gates Anderson, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2026

Providers can also opt to have Preferred by Nature audit their solution to verify their features and claims. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

As the dark countryside of western Oregon flashed by, Madsen opted to watch a show on his phone — then a text from a random number popped up at the top of his screen. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 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