What does opting mean?
Opting is the act of choosing or deciding in favor of a particular course of action when one or more alternatives exist. It commonly appears in the expressions opting for something, meaning to select it, and opting in or opting out, meaning to choose participation or non-participation. The word suggests a conscious decision rather than an automatic preference and is widely used in business, technology, law, education, and everyday conversation. For example, a reader may opt for a digital subscription, while a website may ask users to opt in to communications. Although opting carries no strongly positive or negative connotation, it can imply that the chosen alternative involved comparison or consideration. Its usefulness lies in making the idea of choice explicit: unlike the simpler verb choose, it often highlights a system, offer, arrangement, or set of available options from which one is being selected.
verb (present participle and gerund of opt)Choosing or deciding in favor of a particular option, especially when alternatives are available. It can also refer to exercising a choice to enter or leave a scheme, programme, or arrangement.
- To choose or decide in favor of a particular option.
- To exercise the right to enter or leave a scheme or arrangement, as in opting in or opting out.
"After weighing the risks, she decided to opt for the earlier flight."
"Several employees are opting for flexible working arrangements this year."
"The service is free for anyone willing to opt in to the newsletter."
Opting is more than merely making a choice: it also hints that another course was available and that the decision was deliberate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does opting come from?
The form derives from the English verb opt, which entered English through French from Latin optare, meaning “to choose.” Latin optare also gave rise to words such as option and optative, and it survives in the familiar English derivatives adopt and co-opt. The present-participle form opting became established as English developed verb forms ending in -ing.
Related word forms
How opting is actually used
The phrase is standard in formal and informal contexts. Opting for often introduces the preferred alternative, while opting in and opting out emphasize participation or non-participation in a scheme.
Easily confused with opting
Opting means choosing among available alternatives, whereas adopting means taking up, accepting, or putting a practice or proposal into use.