Optional is the quality of what is not mandatory.When it is said that something is optional, it means that it is optional, that is, it may or may not be done.
For example, so-called “optional holidays” or “optional points” are days when governments decree that work is not mandatory, being a kind of "holiday" that affects servers public. In other words, on optional days, civil servants may or may not work, with no wage loss.
The word “optional” also refers to the right of choice that is given to someone, being that person free to choose the best decision for them.
Example:"Today's lecture is optional for those who have already taken the test".
Some of the main synonyms for optional are: expendable, voluntary, optional and optional.
Facultative point
Optional point is the decree carried out by government agencies that consists in dispensing with mandatory operation of companies and commercial establishments on days of dates celebrations and holidays.
Normally, this decree is valid for employees of municipal, state and federal instances. Private companies, if they wish, can also adopt this measure.
Thus, the difference between the holiday and the optional point is the non-mandatory nature of the latter, in contrast to the mandatory content (stated by law) of the holiday.
See more about the meaning of Facultative point.
optional vote
Optional vote means the non-mandatory vote. This means that, in countries where voting is optional, citizens can choose whether or not they want to vote in elections.
In Brazil, for example, voting is optional in some cases: for citizens between 16 and 18 years old and over 70 years old. For other people, voting is mandatory.
Learn more about the meaning of optional vote.
Optional insured
The optional insured is the worker who is not obligated to contribute to Social Security, but chooses to do so to guarantee the right to receive Social Security benefits.
Anyone aged 16 and over can choose to be a taxpayer, such as students, housewives or unemployed people.