1 B1 neutral
To choose not to take part in a system, programme, or service that you have been automatically included in.
"You can opt out of receiving promotional emails at any time."
opt out
B1 neutral intransitive
To choose not to participate in something, or to withdraw from a system or arrangement you were part of.
In plain English
To say 'no thanks, leave me out' when given the choice.
What does "opt out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To withdraw from a legal agreement, treaty, or obligation.
"The government threatened to opt out of the international climate agreement."
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To choose to step back from the pressures of modern life or a demanding situation.
"After years of stress, she decided to opt out of city life and move to the countryside."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To choose (opt) to be out (excluded).
Actually means
To say 'no thanks, leave me out' when given the choice.
Usage tip
Common in legal, medical, political, and digital contexts. An 'opt-out' system includes you by default unless you actively withdraw. Widely used in data privacy law and workplace policy.
Words that pair with "opt out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pension scheme data sharing newsletter treaty agreement system
How to conjugate "opt out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
opt out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
opts out
he/she/it
Past simple
opted out
yesterday
Past participle
opted out
have + pp
-ing form
opting out
continuous
Hear "opt out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "opt out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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