opt in to decide to make use of or take part in something.
To receive automatic updates, opt in under the email notification section.
opt out to decide to withdraw from or not take part in something.
You can opt out of the pension plan, but you lose the employer and government contribution.
optative.
optical.
optician.
optics.
optional.
First recorded in 1875–80; from French opter “to choose, divide,” from Latin optāre “to wish for, desire, pray for, choose, select”
To opt is to choose. Given the alternative, most kids will opt for a cupcake over a ham sandwich. When you're signing up for next semester's classes, you might opt for another history class, or instead opt for advanced biology. Whenever you have more than one alternative, you have the chance to opt for something. You can also opt out of something, or choose not to do it at all. Opt comes from the French verb opter, "to choose," from the Latin root optare, "desire," and it's related to option.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Daco agrees that Warsh may opt out of publishing his own SEP numbers, given his skepticism about the usefulness of economic and interest-rate projections.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
Some families may have traditional funerals, while others might opt for a “celebration of life,” which can be a joyous event with music and visuals.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
He said he has heard from patients who feel outside pressure to opt for surgery, which is something the medical community presents as an option rather than a must.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
This is money you can only access in retirement, so if money is really tight then you can opt out and have the money in your wages now.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
I glance through my closet, and decide it’s too hot to try and instead opt for gym shorts and an old T-shirt from one of my mom’s pageants.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
