comment

American  

[kom-ent] / ˈkɒm ɛnt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to remark or express an opinion

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

Usage

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. 

Related Words

See remark.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of comment

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. )

Example Sentences

An offhand comment from an executive can send company shares soaring or sinking.

From Barron's

The White House referred Barron’s to the Justice Department for comment, and officials at the Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

From Barron's

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, did not respond to a request for comment.

From MarketWatch

X didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Ocean Avenue residents were quick to condemn the sober living facility, complaining that it posed a potential safety hazard and that residents were never informed of the plan or allowed to comment on it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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