option

[ op-shuhn ]

noun

1. the power or right of choosing.
2. something that may be or is chosen; choice.

   Synonyms: election, selection

3. the act of choosing.

   Synonyms: election, selection

4. an item of equipment or a feature that may be chosen as an addition to or replacement for standard equipment and features:

   a car with a long list of extra-cost options;

   a telephoto lens option for a camera.

5. stock option.
6. a privilege acquired, as by the payment of a premium or consideration, of demanding, within a specified time, the carrying out of a transaction upon stipulated terms; the right, as granted in a contract or by an initial payment, of acquiring something in the future:

   We bought one lot and took a 90-day option on an adjoining one.

7. Football. a play in which a back has a choice of either passing or running with the ball.

verb (used with object)

1. to acquire or grant an option on:

   The studio has optioned his latest novel for film adaptation.

2. to provide with optional equipment:

   The car can be fully optioned at additional cost.

option

/ ˈɒpʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of choosing or deciding
2. the power or liberty to choose
3. an exclusive opportunity, usually for a limited period, to buy something at a future date

   he has a six-month option on the Canadian rights to this book

4. commerce the right to buy ( call option ) or sell ( put option ) a fixed quantity of a commodity, security, foreign exchange, etc, at a fixed price at a specified date in the future See also traded option
5. something chosen; choice
6. short for local option
7. keep one's options open or leave one's options open
   not to commit oneself
8. See soft option

verb

1. tr to obtain or grant an option on

Other Words From

• option·a·ble adjective
• pre·option noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of option¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin optiōn-, stem of optiō “choice,” equivalent to op(tāre) “to select” ( opt ) + -tiō -tion

Word History and Origins

Origin of option¹

C17: from Latin optiō free choice, from optāre to choose

Synonym Study

See choice.

Example Sentences

Scientists are intensifying efforts to reduce inflammation-causing cells in the intestines and improve treatment options for the nearly 7 million people affected worldwide.

From Science Daily

Walking away from Ukraine, he says, is not an option.

From BBC

Feeling hopeless and overwhelmed can spur you to take action and make some small differences between now and the next election, and fighting a second Trump term with your finances is an option to consider.

From Salon

Lee said he only picked out 10 pieces of sushi and nigiri because most of the other options contained shellfish, to which he’s allergic.

From Salon

Once diagnosed, treatment options are limited to Botox injections every three-to-four months for life, if effective.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• benefit
• choice
• opportunity
• preference
• privilege
• right