opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən 
1
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.
Synonyms
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 on the Web
But, as usual, opponents are swimming against the tide of public opinion.
—
Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
John Mulaney’s focus is on his life, his history, and his most mundane opinions.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Proponents of the hunting ban tried and failed to convince state wildlife commissioners of their opinions, even though a couple of those commissioners have backgrounds in animal welfare.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
But losing in legal courts is different from losing in the court of public opinion, where sane people are left trying to explain that noncitizen Haitians aren’t illegally voting while nibbling poodle kebabs and assaulting the neighbors.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opinion 
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Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
John Mulaney’s focus is on his life, his history, and his most mundane opinions.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Proponents of the hunting ban tried and failed to convince state wildlife commissioners of their opinions, even though a couple of those commissioners have backgrounds in animal welfare.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
But losing in legal courts is different from losing in the court of public opinion, where sane people are left trying to explain that noncitizen Haitians aren’t illegally voting while nibbling poodle kebabs and assaulting the neighbors.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opinion
Articles Related to opinion
Dictionary Entries Near opinion
Cite this Entry
“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opinion. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
1
: a judgment about a person or thing
2
: a belief based on experience and on seeing certain facts that falls short of positive knowledge
3
a
: a statement by an expert after careful study
you better get a doctor's opinion
b
: a formal statement from a judge or court of the reasons for a legal decision
Medical Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert
wanted a second opinion on the advisability of performing the operation
Legal Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
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 sense 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)
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
: 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
: an opinion of the U.S. Tax Court that is ordered not to be published but that is authoritative as precedent
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
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