n.
- a thing that is or may be chosen.
▸the freedom or right to choose.
- a right to buy or sell a particular thing at a specified price within a set time.
v.
buy or sell an option on.
Phrase
- keep
(or leave)
one's options open
not commit oneself.
Etymology
C16: from Fr., or from L. optio(n-), from the stem of optare ‘choose’.