opine
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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
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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:
“If a Fed chairman is going to opine on financial markets, they should take a conservative approach,” Harris said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
He says he told the chatbot, “I wasn’t trying to have you opine about my divorce at every chance.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 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
He has largely halted the regular press briefings that Moore once used to answer questions about critical incidents and occasionally opine on national issues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
Some opine that it is a corruption of per and manus.
From 'Midst the Wild Carpathians by J?kai, M?r
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
While acknowledging that wars have their own dynamics and emphasizing that his view is low conviction as a consequence, Papic opines that Iran’s pain threshold is lower than markets and commentators imagine.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 16, 2026
A note from one of the investment bank’s analysts opines that Macquarie is entering a strong growth phase where “market conditions, industry dynamics and internal transition converge.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026
Mostly, Park challenges us to keep up: “The idea of unstable reality would be reflected in the form of the piece,” one character opines.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2025
"I opines you're not castin' reflections any whatever?" he said, in a deadly manner.
From Frank Merriwell's Backers The Pride of His Friends by Standish, Burt L.
“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
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
A few analysts have opined on fusion, though.
From Barron's ● Dec. 19, 2025
“An awful spectacle,” opined The New York Times, a “sacrifice to the whims and theories” of a “coterie of cranks and politicians.”
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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
Berkshire’s mountain of cash and equivalents increased to another record, with some analysts opining that it might reflect a decision by Buffett to leave big purchasing decisions to Abel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025
The film flopped - with Time magazine opining that "nothing can save this picture".
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2025
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
THEAETETUS: You mean, Socrates, if I am not mistaken, what is called thinking or opining.
From Theaetetus by Jowett, Benjamin
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.
