# opt

/ˈɑpt/ (US) · /ˈɒpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/opt
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to choose

verb · CEFR B2

to choose one thing instead of another.

For teachers: to make a choice or selection from among several available alternatives.

- After looking at several different cars, they decided to opt for the smaller, electric model.
- Faced with a stagnant domestic market, the board of directors decided to opt for a more aggressive international expansion strategy.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'for' when choosing a noun, or 'to' when choosing an action.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'choose'; explain that 'opt' often implies a more formal or deliberate decision between specific alternatives.

## Examples

- Many students opt to study from home.
- After reviewing the high cost of city living, the couple decided to opt for a smaller apartment in the suburbs.
- Faced with a volatile market, many investors opt for stable government bonds rather than riskier equity portfolios to protect their capital.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.