option
UK: ˈɒpʃən | US: ˈɑːpʃən
n. 1. A choice or possibility available among alternatives.
n. 2. The right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a set price (finance).
n. 3. A feature that may be selected to customize a product or service.
option = opt<choose> + ion<noun suffix>
- opt: From Latin optare ("to choose, desire"), reflecting the core idea of selection.
- ion: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action, state, or result (e.g., decision, action).
Etymology Origin:
The word option entered English in the 16th century via French (option), tracing back to Latin optio ("free choice"). The root opt persists in related terms like adopt ("to choose as one’s own") and optimal ("best choice"). The suffix -ion systematizes the abstract concept of choosing, aligning with other Latin-derived nouns.
You have the option to work remotely or from the office.
The contract includes an option to extend for another year.
Investors bought call options to hedge against market risks.
The car comes with several optional features.
She weighed her options carefully before making a decision.