# optional vs optionally

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### optional
*adjective · IPA /ˈɒp.ʃə.nəl/ · frequency rank #8,180*
Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

### optionally
*adverb · IPA /ˈɑpʃənəli/ · frequency rank #38,081*
In an optional manner; not mandatorily.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optional-vs-optionally