optional
gb/ˈɑpʃənəl/ us/ˈɑpʃənəl/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Not required or necessary
Something you can choose to do or have, but you do not have to.
Usage pattern:
[something] is optional
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'optional' with 'available'. 'Optional' means you can choose whether or not to do it; 'available' means it can be used or obtained.
Synonyms
voluntary (Implies that something is done by choice, often with a sense of willingness.)
|
elective (Common in education to describe a course chosen by the student rather than required.)
Antonyms
mandatory (Means something is required and cannot be left out.)
|
compulsory (Especially in British English, means required by rule or law.)
Collocations
optional extra
|optional feature
|optional subject
|optional course
Themes
daily life
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Attendance at the meeting is optional.
- The test includes an optional essay section.
- Wearing a tie is optional for the dinner event.
Learner examples
- Homework is optional today.
- A jacket is optional in warm weather.
- This class is optional for students.
Grammar
Expressions
optional extra
1/ˈɑpʃənəl ˈɛkstɹə/
fixed phrase
An additional, non-essential feature
Something more that you can choose to have, but you do not need it.
Examples
- Air conditioning is an optional extra in this model.
- The guided tour is an optional extra for visitors.
optional feature
1/ˈɑpʃənəl fˈit͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
A non-essential product function
A part of something you can choose to use or have, but it is not needed.
Examples
- The car has several optional features, like heated seats.
- Automatic updates are an optional feature of the software.