optional
adjective
op·tion·al
ˈäp-sh(ə-)nəl 
: involving an option : not compulsory
optionally
adverb
Examples of optional in a Sentence
Jackets are required at the restaurant, but ties are optional.
Many optional features are available on this car.
Registration is optional, not mandatory.
Recent Examples on the Web
This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel.
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
The northernmost stretch of Hauolver in Northeast Miami-Dade, just south of Sunny Isles Beach and north of Surfside and Bal Harbour, has been clothing-optional for more than 30 years.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 25 Dec. 2025
There are optional add-ons like sea urchin, fatty tuna (o-toro) and barracuda, but chances are stomach real estate has become scarce, and the remaining three courses will close it down.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
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Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2025
The northernmost stretch of Hauolver in Northeast Miami-Dade, just south of Sunny Isles Beach and north of Surfside and Bal Harbour, has been clothing-optional for more than 30 years.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 25 Dec. 2025
There are optional add-ons like sea urchin, fatty tuna (o-toro) and barracuda, but chances are stomach real estate has become scarce, and the remaining three courses will close it down.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optional
Cite this Entry
“Optional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optional. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
optional
adjective
op·tion·al
ˈäp-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
: left to one's choice : not required
optional equipment on a new car
optionally
adverb
-ē
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