optionally

/ˈɒp.ʃən.əl.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːp.ʃən.əl.i/ (ame, ipa)

optionally — adverb

1. in a way that lets a person add, do, or buy something only if they decide to, ra

1.副詞C1
釋義

in a way that lets a person add, do, or buy something only if they decide to, rather than as a required part of the process

例句

You can optionally add lemon to the soup before serving it.

optionally + add + ingredient

The form lets parents optionally list a second phone number.

optionally before the main verb in instructions

同義詞
  • if desired

    close in meaning but more typical in polite instructions and notices.

  • at your discretion

    more formal and often used when a person in authority may decide.

  • by choice

    plain English phrase that stresses free decision rather than system wording.

反義詞
  • compulsorily

    formal opposite meaning required by a rule.

  • mandatorily

    used in official or technical contexts for something that must be done.

文法句型

can optionally + verb

optionally + passive verb

optionally add / include / upload

用法筆記

Common in instructions, forms, recipes, and software settings. It usually appears before the main verb and often signals an extra step or feature that a user may include. Distinguish from maybe or possibly, which talk about uncertainty rather than choice.

常見錯誤

❌The train optionally arrived late.
✅Passengers could optionally take the later train.
💡optionally describes a choice someone can make, not whether an event happened.