# optional

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɒp.ʃə.nəl/ · frequency rank #8,180

## Definitions
1. Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

## Etymology
From option + -al.

## Easily confused with
- **optionally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optional-vs-optionally)
- **option** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/option-vs-optional)
- **optical** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optical-vs-optional)
- **optimal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimal-vs-optional)

## Common misspellings (11)
`opitonal`, `opptional`, `optinoal`, `optioanl`, `optionall`, `optionla`, `optionnal`, `optoinal`, `opttional`, `otpional`, `potional`

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