What is the opportunity cost?

Opportunity costs represent the potential benefits an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. The idea of opportunity costs is a major concept in economics. Because by definition they are unseen, opportunity costs can be easily overlooked if one is not careful.

Examples of Opportunity Cost. Someone gives up going to see a movie to study for a test in order to get a good grade. The opportunity cost is the cost of the movie and the enjoyment of seeing it. ... The opportunity cost of taking a vacation instead of spending the money on a new car is not getting a new car.