option

noun

1 A CHOICE (C) a choice you can make in a particular situation: As I see it, we have two options - either we sell the house or we rent it out. | I usually choose the vegetarian option in restaurants. | the option of doing sth: I always had the option of going back to Canada. | have no option but to do sth (=be forced to do something because there are no other choices): Teenage mothers often have no option but to live with their parents.

2 keep/leave your options open to wait before making a decision: We should keep our options open until Jim can study the results of the survey.

3 RIGHT TO BUY/SELL (C) the right to buy or sell something in the future

(+ on): The Saudi government has agreed to buy 20 planes, with an option on a further 10.

4 COMPUTERS (C) one of the possible choices you can make when using a computer program 1 (1): Press `P' to select the print option.

5 STH THAT IS ADDITIONAL (C) something that is offered in addition to the standard equipment when you buy something new, especially a car

6 AT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY BrE (C) a subject that you can choose to study as part of a course: I did an option in Korean Studies.

7 first option the chance to buy or get something before anyone else: They've agreed to give us the first option on their apartment.

8 the soft/easy option the course of action that needs the least effort, chosen because you are being lazy: Some people consider studying Expressive Arts to be a soft option.