opinion
uh-PIHN-yuhn
Opinion (noun) means a belief or judgment that someone holds about a subject, not necessarily based on proven fact. Example: “My brother has a strong opinion about which team will win.”
noun
1
A belief or judgment that someone holds about a subject, not necessarily based on proven fact.
"My brother has a strong opinion about which team will win."
"In my opinion, the film was overrated."
"She asked her doctor for a second opinion."
2
A formal judgment given by a court, official, or expert.
"The lawyer asked an expert for a written opinion on the contract."
"The committee published its opinion on whether the building was safe."
"The judge's written opinion explained the reasoning behind the verdict."
How to use opinion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat someone personally thinks or believes, which may differ from established fact.
Common mistake
An opinion is a view, not necessarily a fact — avoid stating opinions as if they were proven truths.
Common pairings
in my opinion
a second opinion
form an opinion
public opinion
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Word forms
- Plural
- opinions
- Third person singular
- opinions
- Past tense
- opinioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My brother has a strong _____ about which team will win.
Etymology
From Latin opinio, from opinor, "to think or suppose" — it displaced the native Old English word wena.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for opinion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for opinion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “opinion” mean?
The word “opinion” means a belief or judgment that someone holds about a subject, not necessarily based on proven fact. In plain terms, what someone personally thinks or believes, which may differ from established fact.
How do you pronounce “opinion”?
“Opinion” is pronounced uh-PIHN-yuhn (/əˈpɪn.jən/ in IPA).
How do you use “opinion” in a sentence?
Here is “opinion” used in a sentence: “In my opinion, the film was overrated.”
What part of speech is “opinion”?
“Opinion” is a noun.
Where does the word “opinion” come from?
The word “opinion” comes from Latin. From Latin opinio, from opinor, "to think or suppose" — it displaced the native Old English word wena.
Is “opinion” a common word?
“Opinion” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “opinion” have?
“Opinion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a belief or judgment that someone holds about a subject, not necessarily based on proven fact.
What is the difference between an opinion and a fact?
A fact is something that can be proven true or false with evidence — water boils at 100°C at sea level. An opinion is a personal belief or judgment that need not be provable, like saying a film is boring. Facts stay the same for everyone; opinions vary from person to person.
What is the difference between an opinion and a belief?
The two overlap. A belief is something you hold to be true, often deeply and about big questions. An opinion is usually a lighter, more particular judgment about a specific matter — a view you could easily change. Beliefs tend to feel fundamental; opinions are more casual and changeable.
Can an opinion be wrong?
An opinion is a personal judgment, so it is not 'wrong' in the way a false fact is. But opinions can be poorly informed, unfair, or contradicted by evidence. A view that ignores clear facts is often called a bad or uninformed opinion, even if the person is entitled to hold it.
What is an example of an opinion?
Saying 'summer is the best season' is an opinion — others may reasonably disagree. So is 'this restaurant is overpriced' or 'the book was disappointing'. Each expresses a personal judgment rather than a provable fact, which is why people can hold opposite opinions without either being strictly wrong.
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