The meaning of OPTIONAL is involving an option : not compulsory. How to use optional in a sentence.

(Definition of optional from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

adjective left to one's choice; not required or mandatory. Formal dress is optional. Synonyms: voluntary, elective, discretional leaving something to choice.

Define optional. optional synonyms, optional pronunciation, optional translation, English dictionary definition of optional. adj. Left to choice; not compulsory or automatic. op′tion·al·ly adv. …

Possible but not compulsory; left to personal choice....

Definition of optional adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

If you can choose whether or not to do something, it is optional. Extra credit is always optional; death and taxes are not.

Sep 22, 2025 · optional (plural optionals) Something that is not compulsory, especially part of an academic course. (programming, sometimes capitalized) In various programming languages, a …

[Football.]a play in which a back has a choice of either passing or running with the ball. v.t. to acquire or grant an option on: The studio has optioned his latest novel for film adaptation. to …

Synonyms for OPTIONAL: voluntary, elective, discretionary, alternative, unnecessary, chosen, alternate, unwanted; Antonyms of OPTIONAL: mandatory, compulsory, required, obligatory, …