option

American  

[op-shuhn] / ˈɒp ʃən /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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. not to commit oneself

8. See soft option

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verb

1. (tr) to obtain or grant an option on

Related Words

See choice.

Other Word Forms

• optionable adjective
• preoption noun

Etymology

Origin of option

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

Explanation

An option is a possibility or choice. In football, a quarterback with three wide receivers has (at least) three throwing options. An option is something that can be chosen — it's a possibility. Even something crazy — like jumping off a cliff — is always an option, just not a good one. There are lots of technical uses of option in business and legal writing. If you have the option on a house, you have the right to buy it. In sports, a free agent has the option of joining another team. No matter what you do, it's nice to have options. When we have no options, we feel trapped.

Example Sentences

Whole life insurance is one option for a legacy and covering funeral expenses.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Antetokounmpo, 31, is under contract for 2026-2027 and has a player option of $62.7 million for 2027-28.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Starbucks this month launched its own caffeinated Refreshers drinks, along with the option to add energy shots to its existing line of fruity drinks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The findings, published in JAMA, point to a long-lasting treatment option that could improve how hypertension is managed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

“Or maybe you could use it to clothe the homeless and give them the option to have something that could withstand different kinds of environments.”

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

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