opine

verb

ō-ˈpīn 

opined; opining

intransitive verb

: to express opinions

You may opine about anything you want.

transitive verb

: to state as an opinion

opined that the nominee was not fit to serve on the Supreme Court

Did you know?

Opine is not a back-formation of opinion. Both words come from Middle French opiner, meaning "to express one's opinion," and Latin opīnārī, "to have in mind" or "to think." And they were thought up as words for the English language independently at different times.

Synonyms

• allow
• comment
• editorialize
• note
• observe
• reflect
• remark
• weigh in

Examples of opine in a Sentence

Many people opine that the content of Web pages should be better regulated.

You can opine about any subject you like.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Lee opined that the sharp spike in Wall Street’s fear gauge may suggest that a return to investor confidence could be over the horizon. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2024

At one point, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, opined that Republicans could be entitled to up to 81% of legislative seats. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 31 July 2024

The university had invited a group of Chinese liberals, who opined on what role Japan might play this time in China’s political evolution. —Chang Che, The New Yorker, 30 July 2024

Judge Carla Sikes opines on Gilbert Thomas’ sentence That’s no easy task in Colorado. —Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 21 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English opinen "to hold an opinion, think (that something is the case)," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French opiner "to express one's view, be of the opinion (that)," borrowed from Latin opīnārī "to hold as an opinion, think, have in mind," of obscure origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Kids Definition

opine

verb

ō-ˈpīn 

opined; opining

: to have or express an opinion