opinion

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noun opin·ion \ ə-ˈpin-yən \

Definition of opinion

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.

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opinioned

play \ə-ˈpin-yənd\ adjective

See opinion defined for English-language learners

See opinion defined for kids

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 of opinion from the Web

Those differences of opinion persisted during interviews and listening sessions conducted during the federal review.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Notably, Matt Drudge, the influential news aggregator whose opinion the president values, appears to be reserving judgment.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "In Harvey coverage, Trump emerges as a man of contradictions," 30 Aug. 2017
Park district seeking golf course feedback Residents can offer their opinions on Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses in three upcoming focus group meetings being held by the Naperville Park District.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 25 Aug. 2017
Digging up month-old drama is utterly useless in my opinion.

— autumn miller, Seventeen, "Taylor Swift Has Become the Mean Girl She Used to Sing About," 25 Aug. 2017
The advertising tax will also limit the ability of those expressing political opinions to gain support from advertisers.

— ron paul, Time, "Ron Paul: This Tax Is Washington's Latest Threat to Free Speech," 25 Aug. 2017
Opinion polls show that few Russians today regret leaving Afghanistan back in 1989.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "As Trump doubles down on Afghanistan, Russians shake their heads," 25 Aug. 2017
But in my opinion, the coconut milk base in NadaMoo! creates a richness that makes a half-cup portion (which is ideal) feel just right.

— Health.com, "Is Ice Cream Healthy? A Nutritionist’s Take on Halo Top and Other ‘Healthier’ Brands," 24 Aug. 2017
Having that kind of platform like the Voice was a total boon to developing a career and having strong opinions and writing consistent work.

— luke o'neil, Esquire, "Generations of Village Voice Writers Reflect on the Paper Leaving the Honor Boxes," 23 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opinion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of opinion

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin opinion-, opinio, from opinari

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

opinion Synonyms

Synonyms

belief, conviction, eye, feeling, judgment (or judgement), mind, notion, persuasion, sentiment, verdict, view

Near Antonyms

fact, truth

Synonym Discussion of 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

OPINION Defined for English Language Learners

opinion

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noun

Definition of opinion for English Language Learners

: a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing
: advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
: a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules

OPINION Defined for Kids

opinion

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noun opin·ion \ ə-ˈpin-yən \

Definition of opinion for Students

1 :a belief based on experience and on certain facts but not amounting to sure knowledge

In my opinion you should take the job.

2 :a judgment about a person or thing

She has a high opinion of herself.

3 :a statement by an expert after careful study

He should get an opinion from a lawyer.

Synonym Discussion of opinion

opinion and belief mean a judgment that someone thinks is true. opinion is used when the judgment is not yet final or certain but is founded on some facts.

- I soon changed my opinion of the plan.

belief is used if the judgment is certain and firm in a person's own mind without regard to the amount or kind of evidence.

- It's my belief we'll win the election.

Medical Dictionary

opinion

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noun opin·ion \ ə-ˈpin-yən \

medical Definition of opinion

:a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert

wanted a second opinion on the advisability of performing the operation

Law Dictionary

opinion

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noun opin·ion \ ə-ˈpin-yən \

legal Definition of opinion

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 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

1 :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

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

3 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