optional

noun

Something that is not compulsory, especially part of an academic course.

(programming, sometimes capitalized) In various programming languages, a kind of variable that is assigned a specific data type but may or may not hold an actual value.

adjective

Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

Roots

optoopt- · Latin · choose, wish

Synonyms for optional

electiveadj voluntaryadj discretionaryadj

Synonyms & related words for optional

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of optional — including elective, voluntary, discretionary. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to optional

Explore words related to optional — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include nonobligatory, optionally, optionality, facultative, option, mandatory, opt, selectable. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for optional

Common synonyms for optional include elective, voluntary, discretionary — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does optional come from?

The word optional breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root opt-, from Latin opto (“choose, wish”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.