optional
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You only need to look over at college basketball, where March Madness is the main event, and the regular season is a highly optional viewing experience, like a Tom Cruise Oscar film.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
It’s still unclear how much Tesla will ultimately ask for the Roadster or how much optional features could cost buyers — some of whom decided not to stick around and find out.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
“When they went test optional, kids were not taking it again,” Villatoro said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
Sole-Smith notes that the demands of caregiving can make basic needs feel almost optional.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
For the second time she reminded Cora of the lessons in reading and writing, which were optional but recommended, in keeping with their mission of colored uplift, especially for those with aptitude.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
Vocabulary lists containing optional
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
New Kid
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a word