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

But several internet platforms say they will compile the results independently, drawing criticism from the government, which says they are attempting to manipulate public opinion.

Read more on Barron's

Keaton plays that mistress, Mary Wilkie, and her depiction of the witty, wry, journalist with a robust social calendar and strong opinions that she never hesitates to express, is among her most seminal performances.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many of these proposals have divided public opinion, and to ensure that changes are not just made on a whim there is an extensive legal process that needs to be completed.

Read more on BBC

A large majority of the country, including supporters of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-EU governing coalition, favours the tightening of migration policy and a tougher stance on Ukrainian refugees, according to opinion polls.

Read more on Barron's

Sheffel's personal essays and opinion pieces can be found in Still: The Journal, Appalachian Journal, the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Courier Journal.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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