optional
Left to discretion
Optional describes something you can choose to do or include but aren't required to.
An optional course isn't mandatory for graduation.
Optional features cost extra.
Formal attire optional means you may dress up or not.
The word marks a contrast with what's compulsory or expected.
Chosen, not mandated
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- nonmandatoryNot compulsory
- voluntaryDone by choice
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
freewill · uncompelled · unforced · willing · spontaneous · unsolicited · gratuitous · autonomous
Able to adjust readily
- adjustableAble to be changed
- customizableAble to be modified
- modifiableAble to be changed
- configurableAble to be adjusted
variable · tailorable · convertible · switchable · toggleable · selectable · interchangeable · alterable
Additional, beyond necessary
- additionalBeyond the existing amount
- ancillaryProviding additional support
- supplementaryServing to complete
- accessorySupplementary addition
complementary · auxiliary · secondary · peripheral · subsidiary · backup · reserve · spare
Given special advantage
- favoredShown special preference
- preferredChosen above alternatives
- desiredWished to have
- selectiveChoosing with care
chosen · picked · handpicked · curated · cherry-picked · prioritized · recommended · suggested
elective
Chosen, not mandated
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- nonmandatoryNot compulsory
- voluntaryDone by choice
volunteer · freewill · uncompelled · unforced · willing · spontaneous · unsolicited · gratuitous · autonomous · self-imposed
adaptable
Able to adjust readily
- adjustableAble to be changed
- customizableAble to be modified
- modifiableAble to be changed
configurable · variable · tailorable · convertible · switchable · toggleable · selectable · interchangeable · alterable · changeable
extra
Additional, beyond necessary
- additionalBeyond the existing amount
- ancillaryProviding additional support
- supplementaryServing to complete
accessory · complementary · auxiliary · secondary · peripheral · subsidiary · backup · reserve · spare · adjunct
preferential
Given special advantage
selective · chosen · picked · handpicked · curated · cherry-picked · prioritized · recommended · suggested · default
- freefree, freed, liberated, released, unchained
- meeting termsmeeting, agenda, minutes, RSVP, attendee
- nonessentialunnecessary, unneeded, nonessential, inessential, dispensable
- obligationmandatory, obligatory, required, compulsory, voluntary
- low-prioritylow-priority, nonessential, noncritical, deferrable, secondary
- UI propertiesclickable, scrollable, draggable, resizable, selectable
optionalmandatory
Required by rule
required · compulsory · obligatory · nonoptional · requisite
- left one's options openMaintained multiple possibilities
- weighing optionsConsidering alternatives carefully
- stock optionsContracts to purchase shares
- nuclear optionMost drastic available action
- support optionsAvailable help methods
- weigh optionsConsider alternatives carefully
option, options, adoption, optionally, optionals, optionality