opinion

noun

opin·​ion ə-ˈpin-yən 

1

a

: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter

We asked them for their opinions about the new stadium.

b

: approval, esteem

I have no great opinion of his work.

2

a

: belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

a person of rigid opinions

b

: a generally held view

news programs that shape public opinion

3

a

: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert

My doctor says that I need an operation, but I'm going to get a second opinion.

b

: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based

The article discusses the recent Supreme Court opinion.

opinioned

ə-ˈpin-yənd 

adjective

Synonyms

• belief
• conviction
• eye
• feeling
• judgment
• judgement
• mind
• notion
• persuasion
• sentiment
• verdict
• view

Choose the Right Synonym for opinion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true.

opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of opinion in a Sentence

We asked for their opinions about the new stadium.

In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.

The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wake up each morning to the day's top news, analysis and opinion delivered to your inbox. —Simon Romero, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2024

Learning how to have productive conversations The week before Thanksgiving, Sandler's students role-played scenarios like how to have a productive discussion with someone who doesn't believe the truth and how to tell the difference between fact and opinion. —Cait Bladt, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2024

Fights are baked into Thanksgiving by the simple reality that any gathering with a lot of people who hold varying ideologies and opinions can become uncomfortable, hostile or unsafe. —Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. —Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English opinioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French opinion, borrowed from Latin opīniōn-, opīniō "what or how one thinks about something, expectation, estimation, reputation," from opīn-, base of opīnārī "to hold as an opinion, think, have in mind" (of obscure origin) + -iōn-, -iō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing opinion

• a difference of opinion
• a matter of opinion
• be of the opinion
• change one's opinion/views
• consensus of opinion
• contrary to popular opinion
• expert opinion
• general opinion
• have a high opinion of (something)
• have a low opinion of (something)
• informed opinion
• medical opinion
• opinion maker
• opinion piece
• opinion poll
• public opinion
• second opinion
• self-opinion
• the court of public/world opinion

Kids Definition

opinion

noun

opin·​ion ə-ˈpin-yən 

1

: a judgment about a person or thing

2

: a belief based on experience and on seeing certain facts that falls short of positive knowledge

3

a

: a statement by an expert after careful study

you better get a doctor's opinion

b

: a formal statement from a judge or court of the reasons for a legal decision

Medical Definition

opinion

noun

opin·​ion ə-ˈpin-yən 

: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert

wanted a second opinion on the advisability of performing the operation

Legal Definition

opinion

noun

opin·​ion ə-ˈpin-yən 

1

a

: a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

b

: a formal expression of a judgment or appraisal by an expert see also opinion testimony at testimony compare fact

2

a

: advice or evaluation regarding the legal issues involved in a situation given by an attorney to a client

an opinion of title

called also legal opinion

see also opinion letter at letter sense 1

b

: an advisory opinion issued by an authorized public official (as an attorney general) or a recognized body (as the American Bar Association)

3

a

: the formal written expression by a court or judge of the reasons and principles of law upon which the decision in a case is based compare holding, judgment, ruling

— advisory opinion

: a nonbinding opinion or evaluation of a court or other judicial or quasi-judicial authority or body regarding the effect of the law on a situation that does not present an actual controversy between parties

to answer questions which were not brought before this Court would be to issue an advisory opinion

—JBC of Wyoming Corp. v. City of Cheyenne, 843 P.2d 1190 (1992)

Note: Advisory opinions are issued especially by administrative agencies and by some state courts. Federal courts are constrained by the U.S. Constitution to deciding only cases or controversies and cannot issue advisory opinions.

— concurring opinion

: an opinion by a judge who agrees with the result in a case but not necessarily with the reasoning used to reach it

— dissenting opinion

: an opinion by a judge who disagrees with the result in a case

— majority opinion

: an opinion in a case that is written by one judge and in which a majority of the judges on the court join

— memorandum opinion

: a brief opinion of a court that announces the result of a case without extensive discussion and that is usually unpublished and cannot be cited as precedent

: an opinion of the U.S. Tax Court that is ordered not to be published but that is authoritative as precedent

a : an opinion of a court that sets forth the court's views or intended decision in a case but does not constitute the judgment

b : an opinion of a court or judge setting forth the conclusions and findings and containing or constituting the actual order, judgment, or decree in the case

— per curiam opinion

: a usually very brief unanimous opinion attributed to the court as a whole and not to any particular judge

— plurality opinion

: an opinion with which a majority of the judges on the court concur in result but not in reasoning

— separate opinion

: an opinion written separately by a judge who dissents or who concurs only in the result of the majority opinion

— slip opinion

: an opinion published in temporary form soon after the decision is rendered

b

: a written explanation for a decision reached by an official (as an arbitrator) presiding over the nonjudicial resolution of a dispute