optional — available to be chosen but not obligatory; not required or mandatory
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: available to be chosen but not obligatory; not required or mandatory
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɑːpʃənl/
Example Sentences
- The professor's office hours are optional, but highly recommended if you're struggling with calculus.
- My mom said cleaning my room was 'optional,' but her tone suggested it was actually mandatory.
- The car comes with air conditioning as standard, but heated seats are optional.
optional
ADJECTIVE[/ˈɑːpʃənl/]
available to be chosen but not obligatory; not required or mandatory
Dessert is optional, so she happily skips it tonight.
OPT (choose by wish) + AL (nature of) — by letting each student OPT (choose) their own art project, the final craft became entirely optional.
Reading the car guide with caution-all over the pages and paying only a fraction-all for the extra roof rack, he made the item purely optional.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word derives from Latin optio, meaning "choice" or "selection." In ancient Rome, an optio was a military rank—a junior officer chosen by a centurion to serve as his deputy, literally a "selected" subordinate.
Breakdown
optio (choice, selection) + -al (adjective suffix, denoting relation or possession of the quality). The suffix -al transforms the noun into an adjective meaning "of or relating to choice."
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The professor's office hours are optional, but highly recommended if you're struggling with calculus.”
“My mom said cleaning my room was 'optional,' but her tone suggested it was actually mandatory.”
“The car comes with air conditioning as standard, but heated seats are optional.”
“Wearing pants to the office is technically optional on casual Friday, but I still recommend it.”
📚Related Words
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