opinion

opinion — noun

1. what you think about a person, thing, or situation, especially when other people

1.nounB1
Definition

what you think about a person, thing, or situation, especially when other people may think differently

Example

In my opinion, the blue sofa looks better near the window.

fixed phrase: in my opinion

Carlos asked for my opinion on the new school rules.

pattern: opinion on something

Common collocations
  • in my opinion
  • personal opinion
  • ask someone's opinion
  • share an opinion
  • change your opinion
Synonyms
  • view

    slightly more formal, but very close in meaning

  • idea

    often sounds less settled and more casual

  • belief

    usually suggests something held more firmly

Antonyms
  • fact

    a fact is treated as true information, not a personal view

Grammar Patterns

in my opinion

opinion on/about something

change your opinion of someone

Usage Note

Often used with on, about, or of after the noun. The fixed phrase in my opinion gives your own view directly and is more common in speech than saying my opinion is that....

Common Mistakes

I have a different opinion for this plan.
I have a different opinion on this plan.
After opinion, use on or about for the topic.

2. the shared feeling or judgment held by many people in a place, group, or society

2.nounB2
Definition

the shared feeling or judgment held by many people in a place, group, or society

Example

Public opinion turned against the project after the bridge closed.

common collocation: public opinion

Opinion on the tax plan changed after fuel prices rose.

opinion on an issue

Common collocations
  • public opinion
  • local opinion
  • student opinion
  • opinion poll
  • sway opinion
Synonyms
  • sentiment

    often used for public feeling in news or formal writing

  • mood

    suggests a general atmosphere rather than a clear judgment

  • consensus

    stronger; it suggests more agreement than opinion does

Grammar Patterns

public opinion

opinion on an issue

opinion turns against something

Usage Note

Usually uncountable in this sense. It often appears with words naming groups, such as public, local, student, or voter, and with verbs like shift, turn, or favor.

Common Mistakes

Public opinions were against the airport plan.
Public opinion was against the airport plan.
This sense is usually uncountable.

3. the good or bad judgment you form about a person or thing, especially when showi

3.nounB1
Definition

the good or bad judgment you form about a person or thing, especially when showing respect or approval

Example

Our coach has a high opinion of Mia's work ethic.

have a high opinion of

After the rude email, Ben's opinion of the company fell fast.

Common collocations
  • high opinion of someone
  • low opinion of someone
  • good opinion of something
  • poor opinion of someone
  • favorable opinion
Synonyms
  • regard

    more formal and often used for respect

  • estimation

    formal; used for the value or standing you give someone

  • impression

    often the feeling you get quickly, sometimes with less evidence

Antonyms
  • disapproval

    focuses on a negative judgment rather than a positive one

Grammar Patterns

have a high opinion of someone

form a poor opinion of something

hold a favorable opinion of someone

Usage Note

Common with adjectives such as high, low, good, poor, or favorable, usually followed by of. Distinguish from sense 1 (PERSONAL VIEW): this sense focuses on evaluation, not simply having a view on a topic.

Common Mistakes

I have a good opinion for our doctor.
I have a good opinion of our doctor.
Use of after opinion when you evaluate a person or thing.

4. advice or a decision from a trained person, such as a doctor or lawyer, after st

4.nounB1
Definition

advice or a decision from a trained person, such as a doctor or lawyer, after studying the facts

Example

The family asked for a second opinion before the knee surgery.

fixed phrase: second opinion

Lina received her lawyer's opinion by email on Tuesday morning.

Common collocations
  • second opinion
  • medical opinion
  • legal opinion
  • expert opinion
  • professional opinion
Synonyms
  • advice

    broader; it does not always come from expert judgment

  • assessment

    stresses careful professional evaluation

  • recommendation

    often points more directly to what action to take

Grammar Patterns

ask for a second opinion

expert opinion on something

seek a doctor's opinion

Usage Note

Often comes from doctors, lawyers, engineers, or other specialists. Common verbs are ask for, get, seek, and obtain, and second opinion is a very frequent fixed phrase.

Common Mistakes

I need a second advice from another doctor.
I need a second opinion from another doctor.
The fixed phrase is second opinion, not second advice.
Idioms

be of the opinion that…

idiom

This means to think or believe something is true.

Maya is of the opinion that the project needs more time.

Are you of the opinion that we should cancel the trip?

your considered opinion

idiom

This is your opinion after you have thought about something carefully.

After reviewing the data, my considered opinion is that we should invest.

What is your considered opinion on the new policy?

Word family

  • opinionated
    adjectiveC1
  • opine
    verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For sense 1, opinion is the most general word for what someone thinks about a person, situation, or question. View is close, but it often sounds a little more thoughtful or formal, especially in writing or public discussion. Belief is usually stronger and can suggest that a person feels something is true even without proof. Idea often sounds lighter and less fixed, and it can also mean a plan, so it is not always a good substitute. Judgment is more evaluative: it often points to deciding whether something is good, bad, wise, or fair. You can ask for someone's opinion on a film, but you might trust a doctor's judgment in a difficult case.

view ↗belief ↗idea ↗judgment ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • in my opinion
  • have an opinion
  • ask someone's opinion
  • change your opinion
  • form an opinion

Prepositions

  • opinion on
  • opinion about
  • opinion of

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Opinion came into English through French from Latin opinio, a word connected with thinking or judging. Over time, English kept opinion for what a person thinks, for the view of a group, and for expert judgment in fields such as law and medicine.