An optical modulator has a ridge optical waveguide and a modulation electrode. The modulation electrode is composed of a signal electrode to which a modulation signal is supplied, a first ground electrode, and a second ground electrode, the signal electrode has a wide portion having a width wider than the width of the uppermost portion of the ridge optical waveguide, the first ground electrode has a central portion ground electrode component provided on a first surface so as to extend along a first direction, and the second ground electrode has a central portion ground electrode component provided on a second surface so as to extend along the first direction. The central portion ground electrode components respectively have a first and a second through-holes, and these through-holes overlap the wide portion of the signal electrode as seen in a planar view.