adjective

optional

OP-shuh-nuhl

adjective

Not required; available to choose but not compulsory.

"Attendance at the workshop is optional."

"Leather seats are an optional upgrade on this model."

How to Use Optional

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething you can choose to do or have, but don't have to.

Easily confused with

optical →

Common pairings

optional extra strictly optional entirely optional

optionals plural

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Attendance at the workshop is _____.

Formed from option plus the adjective ending -al.

non-optional nonoptional compulsory mandatory obligate obligatory required requisite

imperative unnecessary compulsory obligatory voluntary incite mandatory requisite

coronal rational diagonal personal seasonal national regional hormonal fictional emotional irrational impersonal

non-optional nonoptional compulsory mandatory obligate obligatory required requisite imperative unnecessary voluntary incite