option

/ˈɒpʃən/
noun

Meaning

One of a set of choices that can be made.
To purchase an option on something.
The freedom or right to choose.
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.
To configure, by setting an option.
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.
One of a set of choices that can be made.

Examples

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.
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.
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.
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.

Word Forms

options optioning optioned

Etymology

From French option, from Latin optiō (“choice; option; act of choosing”), from optō (“to choose, select”). Equivalent to opt + -ion.

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