option
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1op·tion
noun \ˈäp-shən\Definition of OPTION
1
: an act of choosing
2
a : the power or right to choose : freedom of choice b : a privilege of demanding fulfillment of a contract on any day within a specified time c : a contract conveying a right to buy or sell designated securities, commodities, or property interest at a specified price during a stipulated period; also : the right conveyed by an option d : a right of an insured person to choose the form in which payments due on a policy shall be made or applied
3
: something that may be chosen: as a : an alternative course of action <didn't have many options open> b : an item that is offered in addition to or in place of standard equipment
4
: an offensive football play in which a back may choose whether to pass or run with the ball —called also option play
See Examples of OPTION
- You have the option of staying home or coming with us.
- He has the option to cancel the deal.
- We have a wide range of options available to us.
- Menu options at the café include soups, salads, and sandwiches.
- Select an option from the drop-down menu.
- Filing taxes online is an option for people with Internet access.
- I had no option but to start over.
- A good option is to do the work yourself.
- Employees will each be granted options to buy 1,000 shares of company stock.
- The option must be exercised within five years.
Origin of OPTION
French, from Latin option-, optio free choice; akin to Latin optare to choose
First Known Use: 1593
Related to OPTION
- Synonyms
- accoutrement (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, appendage, appliance, attachment, accessory
See Synonym Discussion at choice
Other Business Terms
2option
transitive verbDefinition of OPTION
1
: to grant or take an option on
2
: to acquire the exclusive right to use (an author's work) as the basis for a motion picture <the studio optioned the novel for a film>
First Known Use of OPTION
1926
Other Economics Terms
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