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optionalavailable 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.
💡 Concept

Dessert is optional, so she happily skips it tonight.

Traditional ways are conditional, but choice is optional!
🎵 Rhyme

Traditional ways are conditional, but choice is optional!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɑːpʃənl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɒpʃənl/

🌳Etymology

Rootopt
Suffix--ional

🎵Rhyme

traditionalconditionalnational
traditional
conditional
national

🔗Collocations

optional course
optional equipment
strictly optional
optional extra
optional field

📝Examples

The professor's office hours are optional, but highly recommended if you're struggling with calculus.

😄 Fun example

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.

😄 Fun example

Wearing pants to the office is technically optional on casual Friday, but I still recommend it.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

voluntaryelectivediscretionarynon-mandatory

Antonyms

mandatorycompulsoryrequired

Related

choiceoptionalternativepreference

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