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optional definition

op·tional (äp′s̸hə nəl)

adjective

left to one's option, or choice; not compulsory; elective

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

optional Synonyms

optional

modif.

discretionary, elective, nonobligatory, noncompulsory, free, unrestricted, arbitrary, unforced, volitional, not required, according to one's will, with no strings attached*, take it or leave it*; see also voluntary.

Antonyms necessary*, compulsory*, enforced.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

optional Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • student: Optional for Students This class is optional for second year BSc or MSci in Mathematics students.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: Normally there is some logging mechanism to make the extra messages optional for the user.

Modifies a noun

  • excursion: From here, you can join an optional air excursion to the scenic Torres del Paine National Park, high in the Andes.

Modifying Another Word

  • entirely: We will also take the opportunity to conduct a firewalk ( entirely optional!

Used with adjective complement

  • become: The Annual Meeting with parents has now become optional.
optional usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"optional." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/optional>

APA Style

optional. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/optional

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