Synonyms for option
Most common
Definitions
- n. 1
One of a set of choices that can be made.
- n. 2
The freedom or right to choose.
Related words
- Word family
- optional opt optimal optimize optimism optimist optimistic
- Phrases
- credit default option network option time option type stock option put option call option
- Is a kind of
- derivative
Forms
- Plural
- options → choices, alternatives, preferences, possibilities…
Choose the right word
Choice is an act of choosing; option often means liberty to choose, and implies freedom from constraint in the act of choosing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Example sentences
- choice A pizza topped with mozzarella is my first choice.
- alternative I'm very sorry, but there's really no alternative.
- possibility We cannot rule out the possibility of an accident.
- preference Have you got any preference between beef and lamb?
- possible I'd like to stay one more night. Is that possible?
- switch I don't switch on the light in my studio at night.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| option | rising | |
| choice | rising | |
| alternative | steady | |
| possibility | steady | |
| preference | steady | |
| possible | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- pick1, flag1
- 6 letters
- choice1, switch1
- 7 letters
- upgrade2, refusal3
- 8 letters
- possible3, election3
- 9 letters
- selection3
- 10 letters
- preference3, discretion3
- 11 letters
- alternative4, possibility5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (upgrade2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- option
- Italiano
- opzione
- Español
- opción
- Deutsch
- Alternative
- Català
- opció