option
Definitions
A thing that may be chosen; one of several possibilities
选项；可供选择的事物
The freedom or right to choose
选择权，选择自由
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedopt (here the Latin optāre, 'to choose') + -ion (act/result) = 'the result of choosing.' An option is the thing you may pick. Important: this is the Latin 'choose' branch of opt-, completely separate from the Greek 'sight' opt- in optic and optical, which only looks the same.
Root opt still carries 8 more wordsWhy It Means This
Option sits on the Latin optāre ('to choose'), not the Greek 'sight' root that gives optic/optical. That is why an option is always about choice and never about seeing. The core image — picking one path out of several — drives every use: a menu option, a stock option (a right to choose to buy), keeping your options open.
Common Collocations
- 1.have the option拥有选择权
- 2.keep your options open保留选择余地
- 3.the only option唯一的选择
- 4.a viable option可行的选项
- 5.stock option股票期权
Example Sentences
- 1.
You have two options: stay here or come with us.
- 2.
Quitting was never an option for her.
- 3.
The menu has a vegetarian option for non-meat eaters.
Synonym Comparison
- option — one item among choices you may pick: choose an option
- choice — both the act of choosing and the thing chosen; broader and more everyday
- alternative — an option you turn to instead of another, often when the first fails
- possibility — something that could happen, not necessarily offered to you to pick