At the most basic level, an equity option is a contract that gives the buyer the right (but not an obligation!) to either buy or sell an underlying stock at a specified date and with a specified price.
Disclaimer: Optionality, LLC is not a broker-dealer or investment advisor but is the mobile App and website. Securities and investments are offered through broker-dealer Optionality Securities, LLC., member of FINRA and SIPC. “Optionality” refers collectively to Optionality, LLC’s mobile App and website, including securities offered through Optionality Securities, LLC. Options involve a high degree of risk and are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially significant losses. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before deciding to invest in options: https://www.theocc.com/Company-Information/Documents-and-Archives/Options-Disclosure-Document