opinion

[uh-pin-yuhn]

noun

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.

   Synonyms: impression, idea, notion, persuasion

2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

3. the formal expression of a professional judgment.

   to ask for a second medical opinion.

4. Law.,  the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.

5. a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc..

   to forfeit someone's good opinion.

6. Archaic.,  a favorable estimate; esteem.

   I haven't much of an opinion of him.

opinion

/ əˈpɪnjən /

noun

1. judgment or belief not founded on certainty or proof

2. the prevailing or popular feeling or view

   public opinion

3. evaluation, impression, or estimation of the value or worth of a person or thing

4. an evaluation or judgment given by an expert

   a medical opinion

5. the advice given by a barrister or counsel on a case submitted to him or her for a view on the legal points involved

6. a point open to question

7. to believe that

Other Word Forms

• preopinion noun
• underopinion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opinion¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin opīniōn- (stem of opīniō ), derivative of opīnārī “to think, deem”

Word History and Origins

Origin of opinion¹

C13: via Old French from Latin opīniō belief, from opīnārī to think; see _opine

Idioms and Phrases

see form an opinion; matter of opinion.

Synonym Study

Opinion, sentiment, view are terms for one's conclusion about something. An opinion is a belief or judgment that falls short of absolute conviction, certainty, or positive knowledge; it is a conclusion that certain facts, ideas, etc., are probably true or likely to prove so: political opinions; an opinion about art; In my opinion this is true. Sentiment (usually pl. ) refers to a rather fixed conviction, usually based on feeling or emotion rather than reasoning: These are my sentiments. View is an estimate of something, an intellectual judgment, a critical survey based on a mental examination, particularly of a public matter: views on governmental planning.

Example Sentences

Like other parties, the Conservatives have upped their attacks on Reform UK, which is leading UK-wide opinion polls.

From BBC

The Conservatives are facing a political challenge from Reform, who have been leading in recent opinion polls.

From BBC

For the third time in a year his choice of prime minister has resigned, and opinion polls suggest almost three-quarters of voters think the president should step down too.

From BBC

The party had lost 10 million votes between the 2019 general election and 2024 and its dire opinion poll ratings appeared to be in free fall, he told them.

From BBC

The hourlong discussion, which was broadcast online via Zoom and viewed by The Times, opened with comments from interim President Beong-Soo Kim, who did not offer his opinion of the compact.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assessment 
• assumption 
• attitude 
• conclusion 
• feeling 
• idea 
• impression 
• judgment 
• mind 
• notion 
• point of view 
• reaction 
• sentiment 
• speculation 
• theory 
• thought 
• view 
• viewpoint