judge

¹judge

verb \ˈjəj\

judgedjudg·ing

Definition of JUDGE

transitive verb

1

: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises

2

: to sit in judgment on : try

3

: to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation

4

: govern, rule —used of a Hebrew tribal leader

5

: to form an estimate or evaluation of; especially : to form a negative opinion about <shouldn't judge him because of his accent>

6

: to hold as an opinion : guess, think <I judge she knew what she was doing>

intransitive verb

1

: to form an opinion

2

: to decide as a judge

— judg·er noun

Examples of JUDGE

1. You should not judge people by their appearance.
2. He was trying to judge the strength of his opponent.
3. We should do whatever we judge to be the right thing.
4. Who are you to judge me?
5. He feels that they have judged him unfairly.
6. Don't judge her too severely.
7. The jury will be asked to judge the defendant's guilt.
8. If you are accused of a crime you have the right to be judged by a jury of your peers.

Origin of JUDGE

Middle English juggen, from Anglo-French juger, from Latin judicare, from judic-, judex judge, from jus right, law + dicere to decide, say — more at just, diction

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to JUDGE

Synonyms

adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule (on), settle, umpire

Related Words

consider, deem, deliberate, hear, ponder, weigh; size up; mediate, moderate, negotiate; prosecute, try; find (for or against); conclude, resolve; redetermine, rejudge

Near Antonyms

equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, skirt

See Synonym Discussion at infer

Rhymes with JUDGE

bludge, budge, drudge, fudge, grudge, nudge, sludge, smudge, trudge

²judge

noun

Definition of JUDGE

: one who judges: as

a : a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court

b often capitalized : a tribal hero exercising leadership among the Hebrews after the death of Joshua

c : one appointed to decide in a contest or competition : umpire

d : one who gives an authoritative opinion

e : critic

— judge·ship \-ˌship\ noun

Examples of JUDGE

1. She's one of the strictest judges in the state.
2. He served as a judge at the baking contest.
3. “I don't think we should trust her.” “Let me be the judge of that.”
4. She is a good judge of character.

Origin of JUDGE

Middle English juge, from Anglo-French, from Latin judex

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JUDGE

Synonyms

adjudicator, arbiter, arbitrator, referee, umpire

Related Words

justicer; jurist, justice, magistrate; intermediary, intermediate, mediator, mediatrix, moderator, negotiator; conciliator, go-between, peacemaker, reconciler, troubleshooter; decider

judge

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Public official vested with the authority to hear, determine, and preside over legal matters brought in court. In jury cases, the judge presides over the selection of the panel and instructs it concerning pertinent law. The judge may also rule on motions made before or during a trial. In the U.S., judges are elected or appointed. Most federal judges are appointed for life by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. The highest-ranking judge in the U.S. legal system is the chief justice of the Supreme Court. See also judgment, judiciary, magistrate's court, Missouri Plan.