stock options

Stock options are like a special kind of shared ownership in a company. When you own stock options, it means you are allowed to buy a certain number of shares of stock (part ownership) in a company at a discounted price. Think of it like a coupon - it allows you to buy shares of stock at a cheaper price than if you bought them on the regular stock market. Some companies offer stock options to their employees, giving them the chance to own a piece of the company they work for.