judgment
JUHJ-muhnt
Judgment (noun) means the ability to make sensible decisions; good sense. Example: “Use your best judgment when deciding how to respond.”
noun
1
The ability to make sensible decisions; good sense.
"Use your best judgment when deciding how to respond."
"She showed good judgment by leaving the party before the argument started."
"Lending him money again was a serious lapse in judgment."
2
An opinion or conclusion reached after consideration.
"In my judgment, the plan needs more work."
"My judgment is that the new schedule will not work for most people."
"He reserved judgment until he had heard from both sides."
3
A formal decision made by a court.
"The court delivered its judgment after a two-week trial."
"The judge read out the judgment, and the company had to pay the costs."
"They plan to appeal against the judgment made last week."
How to use judgment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the mental ability to decide wisely, or a formal decision or opinion.
UK vs US
Both British and American English generally use "judgment" without the middle "e," though "judgement" is a common variant in British English, especially outside legal contexts.
Common pairings
sound judgment
exercise judgment
pass judgment
court judgment
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Word forms
- Plural
- judgments
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Use your best _____ when deciding how to respond.
Etymology
From Old French jugement, from Latin iudicare ("to judge"), formed from judge plus -ment.
Synonyms
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discernment
discretion
wisdom
verdict
assessment
prudence
perspicacity
judging
judgement
mind
sagaciousness
opinion
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “judgment” mean?
The word “judgment” means the ability to make sensible decisions; good sense. In plain terms, either the mental ability to decide wisely, or a formal decision or opinion.
How do you pronounce “judgment”?
“Judgment” is pronounced JUHJ-muhnt (/ˈd͡ʒʌd͡ʒ.mɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “judgment” in a sentence?
Here is “judgment” used in a sentence: “Use your best judgment when deciding how to respond.”
What part of speech is “judgment”?
“Judgment” is a noun.
Where does the word “judgment” come from?
The word “judgment” comes from Latin. From Old French jugement, from Latin iudicare ("to judge"), formed from judge plus -ment.
Is “judgment” a common word?
“Judgment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “judgment” have?
“Judgment” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability to make sensible decisions; good sense.
What is the difference between "judgment" and "judgement"?
They are the same word with two accepted spellings. "Judgment" (without the middle e) is standard in American English and in legal contexts, while "judgement" is common in British general usage. Both are correct depending on the style you follow.
What is the difference between "judgment" and "opinion"?
A judgment is a conclusion reached after careful consideration and often implies weighing evidence, while an opinion is simply what someone thinks and may be less reasoned. "Judgment" can also mean the general ability to make sensible decisions.
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