opts

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   Makes a choice between possible options, often when there are only a few to pick from.

   Grammar: No object; usually followed by for or a to-infinitive: she opts for tea, he opts to stay.

   Patterns

   • someone opts for something
   • someone opts to do something

   Whenever the weather is good, my sister opts for a walk instead of the bus.

   He opts to work from home on Fridays.

   The airline opts for a cheaper engine on its short routes.

2. 2verbphrasal verb

   Chooses to join, or to leave, a plan or system, using opts in or opts out.

   Grammar: Always with in or out: she opts out of the scheme.

   Patterns

   • someone opts in
   • someone opts out of something

   Each employee opts in to the pension plan when they start.

   He opts out of the group chat when it gets too noisy.

   Everyone who opts out of the email list stops receiving updates.

Word forms

Common combinations

opts for the cheaper option

She opts for the cheaper option every time.

opts to stay

He opts to stay home on rainy days.

opts out of

One parent opts out of the school photo each year.

opts in to

A customer opts in to receive text alerts.

Synonyms and how they differ

chooses

It is more general and can take a direct object, but opts needs for or a to-infinitive.

selects

It suggests careful picking from a list and sounds more formal than opts.

decides

It focuses on making up your mind rather than picking a particular option.

Word family

option noun

a thing you can choose

optional adjective

not required, left to choice

opt-in noun

a system where you must agree to take part

opt-out noun

a system where you are included unless you say no

Commonly confused: opts or opt?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “opts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words