opt

UK: /ˈɒpt/ US: /ɑpt/ ,(opt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

opt /ɑpt/   v. 

1. to make a choice;
   choose: [~ + for + object]
   Voters opted for the new candidate.
   [~ + to + verb]
   They opted to retire early.
2. opt out, [~ (+ of + object)] to decide not to participate in something:
   opted out of attending the show.

See -opt-.
-opt-, root. 

1. -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.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

opt  (opt), v.i. 

1. to make a choice;
   choose (usually fol. by for).
2. 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

Synonyms

• 1. select, pick, elect, prefer.

opt., 

1. Grammar optative.
2. optical.
3. optician.
4. optics.
5. optional.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

opt / ɒpt/ verb

1. when intr, followed by for: to show preference (for) or choose (to do something)

Etymology: 19th Century: from French opter, from Latin optāre to choose