WordGarden.iooption
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɒpʃən/
US
- /ˈɑpʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a choice or possible course of action
a selectable setting, command, or choice in software or a menu
a contract giving the right to buy or sell an asset at a set price
Beyond the definition
An option is a choice you can make when more than one path is open to you. Think of it like choosing between vanilla or chocolate ice cream; both are choices you can pick from. Sometimes, having several options makes a decision easier, but too many can feel overwhelming. You might have the option to stay home and relax, or the option to go out with friends. The word is often used when talking about choices, possibilities, and freedom to decide.
Imagine you're building a treehouse. You have the option of using nails or screws; both will hold the wood together, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Or consider a student deciding what to study; their options might include medicine, law, or engineering. Choosing the best one often means comparing the good and bad points. In finance, a stock option is a contract that gives an investor the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at a set price within a certain time.
The word "option" refers to a possibility, choice, or alternative course of action. It implies that more than one path is available and that you have the freedom to select among them. For example: "She had the option of taking the train or driving," meaning she could choose either method of transportation.
"Option" can be used in everyday situations like deciding what to eat for dinner, but it also has specific meanings in more formal contexts. In finance, a "stock option" is a contract giving someone the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell shares of stock at a predetermined price. This allows investors to potentially profit from fluctuations in the market without directly owning the stock.
The concept of an "option" also suggests agency and control. When you have options, you're not simply stuck with one outcome; you can actively shape your future. Someone might say, "All her options are on the table," meaning all possibilities are being considered. Conversely, if someone has "no option but to resign," it means they've been forced into a single course of action.
Historically, "option" comes from the Latin word optare, meaning "to choose." This root highlights the core idea behind the word: the power to select and decide.
So whether you're weighing your choices for lunch, navigating financial investments, or simply considering different paths in life, "option" represents the possibilities available to you—and the freedom to make a decision that suits your needs and desires.
Examples
- 1
Meal choices
We have three options for dinner: pasta, soup, or sandwiches.
- 2
Cost comparison
Taking the bus is the cheapest option.
- 3
Course choice
This course is a good option for beginners.
- 4
Planning
If you need more time, extending the deadline is an option.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Work arrangement
She has the option of working from home two days a week.
- Patternthe option of + -ing
the chance or right to do it
- 6
Test retake
Students have the option to retake the test in June.
- Patternthe option to + verb
the chance or right to do it
- 7
No choice
I had no option but to cancel the trip.
- Patternhave no option but to + verb
have to do it because there is no other good choice
- 8
Delayed decision
Let's wait before signing anything and keep our options open.
- Phrasekeep your options open
avoid deciding too early
- 9
Settings menu
In the settings menu, select the option marked "Privacy."
- 10
Employee pay
The company gave senior employees stock options as part of their pay.
- Domainstock options
rights to buy company shares at a set price
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- optionnounverb
Forms
- optionspluralnounverb
- optionedpast tenseverbnoun
- optioning-ing formverbnoun