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opinion definition

opin·ion (ə pin′yən, ō-)

noun

  1. a belief not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge but on what seems true, valid, or probable to one's own mind; judgment
  2. an evaluation, impression, or estimation of the quality or worth of a person or thing
  3. the formal judgment of an expert on a matter in which advice is sought
  4. Law the formal statement by a judge, court referee, etc. of the law bearing on a case

Etymology: ME opinioun < OFr < L opinio < opinari, to think, akin to optare, to select, desire: see option

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business opinion definition - business

idioms opinion idiom

law opinion definition - legal

opinion Synonyms

opinion

n.

  1. A belief

    belief, notion, view, viewpoint, sentiment, conviction, persuasion, conception, idea, surmise, impression, inference, conjecture, inclination, feeling, fancy, imagining, supposition, suspicion, notion, assumption, guess, theory, thesis, theorem, postulate, hypothesis, point of view, presumption, presupposition, mind; see also belief 1, viewpoint.

  2. A considered judgment

    estimation, appraisal, evaluation, conclusion; see judgment 3, verdict.

opinion applies to a conclusion or judgment which, while it remains open to dispute, seems true or probable to one's own mind it's my opinion that he'll agree; belief refers to the mental acceptance of an idea or conclusion, often a doctrine or dogma proposed to one for acceptance religious beliefs; view suggests an opinion affected by one's personal manner of looking at things she gave us her views on life; a conviction is a strong belief about whose truth one has no doubts I have a conviction of your innocence; sentiment (often in the plural) suggests an opinion that is the result of deliberation but is colored with emotion; persuasion refers to a strong belief that is unshakable because one wishes to believe in its truth


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

opinion Usage Examples

Possessives

  • counsel: On 19 May a meeting took place with counsel following which, on 23 May, counsel's opinion was given.

Converse of object

  • express: Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.

Adjective modifier

  • subjective: Ultimately it may come down to a subjective opinion.

Modifies a noun

  • poll: We proved the opinion polls wrong by a factor of 50 % .

Noun used with modifier

  • expert: Finally, the resource use data had to be derived using expert opinion.
opinion usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

opinion quotes

To us he is no more a person Now but a whole climate of opinion.

-Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such an opinion as is unworthy of him.

-Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

A constitutional statesman is in general a man of common opinion and uncommon abilities.

-Bagehot,Walter

opinion quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"opinion." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/opinion>

APA Style

opinion. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/opinion

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