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.
Enterprise products are currently more likely to opt in to other models with clear controls, compliance tooling, auditability, data-governance guarantees and workflow integrations.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 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
It added that Evoke shareholders may opt for a cash alternative, with the U.S. gambling and entertainment company valuing each Evoke share at 52 pence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Stokes did reveal that Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson are in line to take the new ball, meaning the uncapped Sonny Baker would be the seamer to miss out if England opt for Bashir.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
I can’t get all the dust out of my hair, so I opt for a ponytail and a green Wimbledon baseball cap.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
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.
