WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
opt /ɑpt/USA pronunciation
v.
-opt-, root.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to make a choice;
choose: [~ + for + object]Voters opted for the new candidate.[~ + to + verb]They opted to retire early. - opt out, [~ (+ of + object)] to decide not to participate in something:opted out of attending the show.
-opt-, root.
- -opt- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "choose;
choice.'' This meaning is found in such words as: adopt, co-opt, opt, option, optional.
opt
(opt),USA pronunciation v.i.
opt.,
- to make a choice;
choose (usually fol. by for). - Idioms opt out, to decide to leave or withdraw:to opt out of the urban rat race and move to the countryside.
- Latin optāre to wish for, desire, pray for, choose, select
- French opter to choose, divide
- 1875–80
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged select, pick, elect, prefer.
opt.,
- Grammaroptative.
- optical.
- optician.
- optics.
- optional.
'-opt-' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):