opine

American  

[oh-pahyn] / oʊˈpaɪn /

verb (used with or without object)

opined, opining

1. to hold or express an opinion.

   Synonyms:

   imagine, guess, allow, suggest, say

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opine British  

/ əʊˈpaɪn /

verb

1. (when tr, usually takes a clause as object) to hold or express an opinion

   he opined that it was all a sad mistake

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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.

Example Sentences

We leave it to others to opine on whether the current split is optimal.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 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

The callers opine on anything from pot holes to Pol Pot.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Referring to the K-shaped economy, the Evercore authors also opine that blue-collar workers would be less affected because robots will not be able to fully replicate manual activities.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

"I opine, Bill," he said, "that you don't set yourself up as a heap better than the rest of this gang?"

From Frank Merriwell's Backers The Pride of His Friends by Standish, Burt L.

Related Words

• surmise