Option — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈäp-shən/ op·tion

Meaning & Definition of Option

Option (noun)

  1. an act of choosing
  2. the power or right to choose, freedom of choice
  3. a privilege of demanding fulfillment of a contract on any day within a specified time

Option (verb)

  1. to grant or take an option on
  2. to acquire the exclusive right to use (an author's work) as the basis for a movie

Option (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that is not necessary in itself but adds to the convenience or performance of the main piece of equipment

    "a slew of options that would add several thousand dollars to the base price of the car"

    similar: accessory, accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment
    related: accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement, auxiliary, subsidiary, amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings, adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming
    near: essential, necessity, requirement, requisite

  2. the power, right, or opportunity to choose

    "you will have the option to select one of several quite different health insurance plans"

    similar: alternative, choice, discretion, druthers (dialect), election, liberty, pick, preference, selection, volition, way
    related: determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment, perspicacity
    near: coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

Related Entry: Co-opt (verb)

Co-opt is a different word from Option. The synonyms below are for co-opt, not for option.

  1. to make a part of a body or system

    "the national organization co-opted many formerly independent local groups"

    similar: absorb, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate
    related: amalgamate, blend, combine, commingle, fuse, intermingle, merge, mingle, acculturate, accustom, condition, enculturate, habituate, naturalize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Option

The most common words with a similar meaning to Option:

Dialect: druthers
accessory, accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, alternative, choice, discretion, election, liberty, pick, preference, selection, volition, way

Related Words for Option

accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement, auxiliary, subsidiary, amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity, appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings, adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim

Near Antonyms of Option

essential, necessity, requirement, requisite, coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

Word Forms of Option

Inflections: optioned, optioning, options

Origin & Etymology of Option

French, from Latin option-, optio free choice; akin to Latin optare to choose

First known use: circa 1550

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Option

Words & Phrases Containing Option

option to buy, local option, nuclear option, stock option, leave (someone) (with) no option, share option, taken an option on

Frequently Asked Questions about Option

What does "Option" mean?

"Option" means an act of choosing. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an act of choosing. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Option"?

Other words for "Option" include accessory, accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance and attachment. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Option" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Option"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Option". Common alternatives include accessory, accoutrement, adapter, add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, alternative and choice.

How do you use "Option" in a sentence?

Examples of "Option" in a sentence: "a slew of options that would add several thousand dollars to the base price of the car"; "you will have the option to select one of several quite different health insurance plans".

Is "Option" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Option" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Option" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Option" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Option"?

"Option" is pronounced /ˈäp-shən/ and divided into syllables as op·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Option"?

"Option" comes from French, from Latin option-, optio free choice; akin to Latin optare to choose. First known use: circa 1550.