comment

[kom-ent]

noun

1. a remark, observation, or criticism.

   a comment about the weather.

2. gossip; talk.

   His frequent absences gave rise to comment.

3. a criticism or interpretation, often by implication or suggestion.

   The play is a comment on modern society.

4. Digital Technology.,  a user response to published content on the internet, written in a designated “Comments” section, often below the published content.

   There were many online comments criticizing the author.

5. a note in explanation, expansion, or criticism of a passage in a book, article, or the like; annotation.

   Synonyms: commentary, addendum

6. explanatory or critical matter added to a text.

7. Also called rheme. Linguistics.,  the part of a sentence that communicates new information about the topic.

verb (used without object)

1. to make remarks, observations, or criticisms.

   He refused to comment on the decision of the court.

2. to write explanatory or critical notes upon a text.

   Synonyms: elucidate, annotate

verb (used with object)

1. to make comments or remarks on; furnish with comments; annotate.

comment

/ ˈkɒmɛnt /

noun

1. a remark, criticism, or observation

2. talk or gossip

3. a note explaining or criticizing a passage in a text

4. explanatory or critical matter added to a text

verb

1. to remark or express an opinion

2. (intr) to write notes explaining or criticizing a text

Other Word Forms

• commentable adjective
• commenter noun
• uncommented adjective
• uncommenting adjective
• undercomment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English com(m)ent “explanatory note, comment,” from Old French comment “commentary,” from Late Latin commentum “interpretation, comment,” from Latin: “device, fabrication, falsehood,” noun use of neuter of commentus “contrived,” past participle of comminīscī “to contrive, devise”; com- ( def. ), mental ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of comment¹

C15: from Latin commentum invention, from comminiscī to contrive, related to mens mind

Synonym Study

See remark.

Example Sentences

The late-night show host was back on the air Tuesday after being yanked for his comments about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Munger, the son of a billionaire who was the right-hand man of investor Warren Buffett, declined to comment about whether he planned to give additional funds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A representative for the Canadian Bankers Association didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Neither the Hungarian government, nor the European Commission's representation in Budapest have so far responded to AFP's request for comment.

Read more on Barron's

Hundreds of Wall Street Journal readers responded to the story—by email, in the article’s comments section, on social media and even by snail mail.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assert 
• clarify 
• conclude 
• criticize 
• disclose 
• explain 
• expound 
• express 
• mention 
• note 
• notice 
• observe 
• point out 
• reflect 
• say 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of comment?

A comment is a remark or observation that expresses a person’s observation or criticism. To comment is to make such a remark. A comment is also a reply from a user to published material on the internet. Comment has several other senses as a noun and a verb.When people make comments, they are giving their opinion or perspective on something in the form of an observation or criticism. Comments are usually short statements. The word commentary is used for longer criticism or a group of comments. A person who offers a comment is a commenter.

• Real-life examples: Managers often want (or pretend to want) comments from their staff when looking for feedback about something. When people chat, they often share comments about many topics, such as sports, the weather, or politics. A backseat driver delivers unwanted comments about another person’s driving abilities.



• Used in a sentence: The contractor listened to the owner’s comments about what the new house should look like. 

Comment is used to mean to make observations or remarks. This sense often takes the form of “to comment on.”

• Used in a sentence: The company didn’t want to comment on the scandal. 

Comment also refers to a reply posted by a user in response to content on the internet. These replies are often listed in the comments section of an article, blog post, or video. Websites may not allow users to post comments if they think a topic is controversial.

• Real-life examples: News websites and YouTube videos allow users to post comments. Most websites will ban or suspend users who post especially profane or offensive comments.



• Used in a sentence: The video resulted in a lot of supportive comments from fans.