opine
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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opines,
present (3rd person singular)
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opined,
past participle, past
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opining
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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opinesimple
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opinessimple
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have opinedperfect
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has opinedperfect
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am opiningprogressive
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are opiningprogressive
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is opiningprogressive
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have been opiningperfect progressive
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has been opiningperfect progressive
Past
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opinedsimple
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had opinedperfect
-
was opiningprogressive
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were opiningprogressive
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had been opiningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of opine
First recorded in 1575–85; is from Latin opīnārī “to think, deem”
Explanation
The verb opine is used when someone speaks up and expresses an opinion. You might opine that dogs are highly preferable to cats. Whenever you have something to say about a subject, you have the option to opine about it or keep your mouth shut. Movie critics opine about the best films of the year, and kindergarten kids opine that they'd rather not take a nap. Opine can also describe what you suppose will happen, like when you opine that school lunches will improve because of the new cook. The Latin opinari, or have an opinion, is the root of opine.
Vocabulary lists containing opine
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for September 26–October 2, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It’s hard to date in a world where everyone makes an image of themselves online that isn’t exactly true, and yet, that image remains the one doe-eyed suitors like Bear opine.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
“If a Fed chairman is going to opine on financial markets, they should take a conservative approach,” Harris said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
The OLC has the power to opine on whatever the OLC wants to opine on, but it’s just that; it’s an opinion.
From Slate ● Apr. 9, 2026
At the L-shaped stone counter, furnished with fresh flowers and laboratory-like brewing equipment, the inviting baristas opine on the international bean choices from Habakuk’s Hanoi roasting partner, Flusso.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
"Do you opine that Othello smothered the princes in the Tower?" asked a third.
From A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest by Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards
It’s doing the job right now, he opines, but ultimately it risks higher inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
When life gets you down, Danny Palumbo opines, nothing is more soothing than eating a meal prepared with love.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
Interest rate increases are one of Wall Street’s concerns, and those seem to be on the table, potentially as soon as this fall, opines Capital Economics’ Chief North America Economist Stephen Brown.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Howard Marks opines that index investors are, unwisely, simply pouring money into the largest stocks regardless of value.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026
Mr. Dempsey opines that, taking the interest it is natural we should do in our poor friends, he has a kind of claim to make this proposition to us.
From The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) by Charles James Lever
“His many detractors should grant that his comments late Saturday at a White House press briefing hit the right notes of gratitude and comity,” the Wall Street Journal editorial board opined.
From Slate ● Apr. 26, 2026
He also opined that the Strategy cost price is not as important as people think.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 16, 2026
“The surge in the ISM Manufacturing Index in January suggests that after years of malaise, perhaps the manufacturing sector might be turning a corner,” opined Alexandra Brown, North America economist at Capital Economics.
From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026
In its fiscal 2025 annual report, filed in October, Regencell said “there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern,” and its outside auditor opined the same.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
"We have goldsmiths in Lannisport who do better work," he opined.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Zuckerberg's manifesto is the latest example of a tech boss opining on why AI is the next big thing.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The dispute over the validity of the claims and Rana’s credibility only fueled public speculation over the past week, with podcasters like Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly opining about what really happened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
Analysts are opining about the impact on global trade, which influences corporate earnings, but it’s too early to draw significant conclusions.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
But among all of Bong’s opining is a fantastic line that bores directly to the heart of his message.
From Salon ● Mar. 25, 2025
And it is not thought that choosing and opining best always go together, but that some opine the better course and yet by reason of viciousness choose not the things which they should.
From Ethics by Aristotle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
