option — English Dictionary

Noun

1. One of a set of choices that can be made.

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Luiz struggled with the movement of Helguson in the box, as he collected a long ball and the Spaniard barged him over, leaving referee Chris Foy little option but to point to the spot.

   Libertarian paternalism is the view that, because the way options are presented to citizens affects what they choose, society should present options in a way that “nudges” our intuitive selves to make choices that are more consistent with what our more deliberative selves would have chosen if they were in control.

2. The freedom or right to choose.

   Examples

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   The marriage had not been contracted by the father, who was apparently dead, but by an agnatic guardian, so that it was liable to cancellation at the option of the girl on her attaining puberty.

3. A contract giving the holder the right to buy or sell an asset at a set strike price; can apply to financial market transactions, or to ordinary transactions for tangible assets such as a residence or automobile.

   Examples

   There's a book out on us and there's gonna be a movie based on the book. ABC has bought the option for a movie to be made specially for T.V.

4. The acquiring or retention of a nationality through personal choice as a right, bypassing selective legal mechanisms for naturalization, especially in cases where a territory is transferred or passed on from one state to another.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   At that time every emigrant who was made aware of such a notification submitted his application for option to the British Consuls within the period prescribed.

   More examples (1)

   A right of option, mostly in favour of the nationality of the predecessor State, has been accorded in most cases of partial State succession, either by treaty or by domestic legislation.

   This group constitutes around 9 percent of the total number of acquisitions of Dutch nationality through option.

Verb

1. To purchase an option on something.

   Examples

   The new novel was optioned by the film studio, but they'll probably never decide to make a movie from it.

2. To configure, by setting an option.

   Usage

   • Dated

   Examples

   The device that is to echo the characters should be optioned for echoplexing.

Noun

1. the right to buy or sell property at an agreed price; the right is purchased and if it is not exercised by a stated date the money is forfeited

   Broader terms

   derivative instrumentderivative

2. one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

   Synonyms

   alternativechoice

   Broader terms

   decision makingdeciding

   Examples

   what option did I have?

   there is no other alternative

   More examples (1)

   my only choice is to refuse

3. the act of choosing or selecting

   Synonyms

   choiceselectionpick

   Broader terms

   action

   Examples

   your choice of colors was unfortunate

   you can take your pick