Definition of opinion in English:

opinion

noun

1A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
‘that, in my opinion, is right’
‘the area's residents share vociferous opinions about the future’
- ‘In fact, in my opinion, in the future you are either going to have to be very large or very small in this business.’
- ‘In fact, in my opinion, the attitude of the authorities has simply worsened.’
- ‘The two, in my opinion, aren't necessarily related in the short term.’
- ‘In fact, in their opinion, a good doctor would advise women against exposing themselves to the risk of egg donation.’
- ‘In my opinion, this fact accounts for one of the critical reasons why there is so little hype about the new album.’
- ‘We're interested in your opinion on the political issues that affect your life, but you need to be unclear how you're going to vote at the next general election.’
- ‘In my opinion, the approach taken in this book was utterly compelling.’
- ‘I believe an article should be written on this website because in my opinion it matches the views of most people.’
- ‘A simple analogy or a homely metaphor does the trick to invite the reader to share his views, opinions, judgement and comments.’
- ‘I mean, there's only one interesting thing about me, in my opinion, and that's the fact that I hear voices.’
- ‘Is it even possible or is retirement in his future, in your opinion?’
- ‘In my opinion that fact makes no difference at all.’
- ‘Not everybody is eligible for it, and in fact in our opinion, far too few grandparents get substantial financial help.’
- ‘In my opinion the biggest issue with regards to foreign investment is affordability.’
- ‘Again, I don't know that much about South Africa, but this is my opinion based on the facts I do know.’
- ‘Guidebooks are good in my opinion only for historical and cultural fact.’
- ‘In her opinion the incidents described at the inquest were not necessarily related to the school, but had links with the local community.’
- ‘What, in your opinion, is the significance of the fact that many modern appliances are designed to be used with one hand?’
- ‘In his opinion it is vital to improve international travellers' knowledge about the country and the city.’
- ‘Given my lack of knowledge, why would anyone be interested in my opinion?’
belief, judgement, thought, thoughts, school of thought, thinking, way of thinking, mind, point of view, view, viewpoint, outlook, angle, slant, side, attitude, stance, perspective, position, standpoint
as I see it, in my view, to my mind, to my way of thinking, according to my way of thinking, from my standpoint, personally, in my estimation, in my judgement, in my book, for my money, if you ask me
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1. 1.1mass noun The beliefs or views of a group or majority of people.
  ‘the changing climate of opinion’
  ‘The traditional view, and I'm sure the majority of opinion supports it, is that the Attorney-General does have a role.’
  ‘It went through six printings in its first year, but its effect on majority opinion was, for many years to come, negligible.’
  ‘The larger denomination coins and the notes are being spent but the vast majority of opinion regards them as having little spending power.’
  ‘I can't imagine the audience is representative of majority opinion over there.’
  ‘However, minorities do not enjoy the benefit of majority opinion.’
  ‘There are certain things where majority opinion is real but meaningless.’
  ‘Should he bow to majority opinion or retreat into his own private moral code?’
  ‘They represented the majority of British opinion.’
  ‘The truth is, therefore, at least as likely to be found among those who reject majority opinion as among those who embrace it.’
  ‘I hope I never see the day when science is dictated by majority opinion and force of personality.’
  ‘In this climate of opinion, the notion that the Scottish parliament is going to sue for greater powers seems hopelessly naiive.’
  ‘Such conventional pressure is, after all, a rather obvious example of tyranny of majority opinion.’
  ‘Five studies revealed that people who hold the minority opinion express that opinion less quickly than people who hold the majority opinion.’
  ‘Possibly, but I could imagine a climate of opinion developing in which it might come to be seen as unobjectionable in either case given unforeseen events.’
  ‘Journalists, as you know, are crucial to changing the current climate of opinion to one more congenial to liberty.’
  ‘This changed climate of European political opinion cannot but have an influence on the single currency referendum in Britain.’
  ‘Given the climate of opinion, she would be foolish to describe them with anything other than mere disdain.’
  ‘Even if he is right at street level, he surely cannot deny the change in the climate of opinion.’
  ‘Declarations of the General Assembly are not legally binding but have moral force, being indicative of majority global opinion.’
2. 1.2An estimation of the quality or worth of someone or something.
  ‘I had a higher opinion of myself than I deserved’
  ‘They generally did not have a high opinion of the quality of audited financial statements issued by the balance of Bulgarian companies.’
  ‘I didn't want to be honest with her as to my opinion of the quality of that statement, so I said nothing in reply.’
2A statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter.
‘if in doubt, get a second opinion’
- ‘The same guidance applies if you are seeking a second opinion from another NHS professional, such as a dentist.’
- ‘But that's the problem for media, where most who profess to provide expert opinions have a vested interest one way or another.’
- ‘Maybe some professional expert opinions are in order here.’
- ‘You also should get an expert opinion from a medical professional.’
- ‘I suggest you get a second opinion from a professional such as a builder or, better still, a claims loss negotiator.’
- ‘They sought his expert opinion on a very special skull and wanted to tell him what little they knew about its origins.’
- ‘He read up on the disease, sought the advice of those close to him and sought second and third opinions from oncology experts.’
- ‘The parents went for a second opinion to the professor who wrote this article.’
- ‘When unsure of the medical advice received, seek a second opinion.’
- ‘Police said they have registered a case and an expert opinion has been sought to find out the causes of the fire.’
- ‘The respondents offered as expert evidence the opinion of Professor Gompers, which is addressed below.’
- ‘In an effort to produce a water code favorable to irrigation, State Engineer Wade sought expert opinions throughout the West.’
- ‘You and the lawyer putting you forward must always be mindful that the expert opinion you seek to give fulfills each of these four criteria’
- ‘She should not hesitate to seek a professional opinion from her internist or rheumatologist.’
- ‘Though he was not involved in construction, his expert opinion was sought when the tower was discovered to lean.’
- ‘Sometimes, their expert opinion was sought in the raging debates of the times.’
- ‘She also girds her advice with opinions from experts in the field.’
- ‘Whose expert opinion did they seek for advice on this matter?’
- ‘In addition, parents should be given advice on seeking a second opinion if they wish.’
- ‘She sought a second opinion, and was told about lumpectomy, in which just the cancerous lump is excised, and she chose to have that procedure.’
declaration, contention, statement, claim, submission, postulation, averment, opinion, proclamation, announcement, pronouncement, assurance, attestation, affirmation, protestation, profession, swearing, insistence, avowal
View synonyms
1. 2.1Law A barrister's advice on the merits of a case.
  ‘the solicitor took counsel's opinion’
  ‘How does that fit in with the liability of, say, a solicitor for giving advice, or a barrister for giving chambers opinions?’
  ‘What you are told here is that the matters were referred to the legal assistance referral scheme for merit opinions which were not favourable to the clients.’
  ‘The Committee issues a consensus opinion though individual opinions on the merits may be added if members of the Committee so desire.’
  ‘Coun Williams employed a legal team and has now received a written opinion from his barrister stating Doncaster Council must act.’
  ‘Are you able to provide an opinion or counsel's opinion on the merits?’
2. 2.2Law A formal statement of reasons for a judgement given.
  ‘a dissenting opinion adjudged that the government had the right to protect ‘the symbolic value of the flag’’
  ‘For all of these reasons, the plurality opinion is open to criticism.’
  ‘In his sentencing opinion, Judge Moore said that to sentence him as an adult would mean giving up on the juvenile justice system.’
  ‘It might be refreshing, though, to have a Supreme Court Justice who writes opinions with critical comments directed at himself.’
  ‘Whilst acknowledging the respect to which the opinion of Judge Milonas is entitled, I found this submission a surprising one.’
  ‘The Justices filed a patchwork of different opinions and dissents.’
  judgement, adjudication, adjudgement, decision, finding, ruling, resolution, pronouncement, decree, order, settlement, result, conclusion, opinion, prognosis, conviction, assumption, presumption
  View synonyms

Phrases

difference of opinion

A disagreement or mild quarrel.
‘there was a difference of opinion between myself and the chief planner’
- ‘The debates were on issues, not about race - there may have been differences of opinion.’
- ‘I want to add a brief response to Andrew's characterization of his differences of opinion with us.’
- ‘France's labour unions have generally been supportive of the 35-hour initiative, with some differences of opinion on key issues.’
- ‘Extension of the European Union: unbridgeable differences of opinion.’
- ‘In any relationship, there is going to be a difference of opinion.’
- ‘They should have just submitted a written note during the meeting acknowledging their difference of opinion.’
- ‘Interobserver variation is a far more significant factor in causing differences of opinion between observers.’
- ‘You know, families always have differences of opinion.’
- ‘The two presidential candidates have a difference of opinion on lying.’
- ‘Joint decision making can lead to differences of opinion, however.’

be of the opinion that

Believe or maintain that.
‘the complainant being of the opinion that this provided grounds for legal proceedings’
- ‘Most of them were of the opinion that more such programmes should be organised to help the students develop their skills to build a better career.’
- ‘They were of the opinion that at least people who drink should consider the difficulties they cause and the families they break.’
- ‘The developers were of the opinion that there were no planning issues involved in the proposed change of use.’
- ‘Only their defence was generally first-class, even if Hadden was of the opinion that at times it was ‘disappointingly shabby’.’
- ‘Dr. Chavda was of the opinion that since most athletes go abroad for training, there is no time to test them here.’
- ‘He was of the opinion that not to list the prison would be extraordinary.’
- ‘He is of the opinion that as in the case of polio and blindness eradication, some concerted efforts are needed to prevent the increasing number of diabetics from cardiac disorders.’
- ‘Knowing that she is of the opinion that only trained professionals should venture into her area of expertise, I might offer a few suggestions to her.’
- ‘But another source is of the opinion that if the very system is to be demolished then even the provincial assemblies will have to go.’
- ‘Nasti is of the opinion that most parents simply fail to introduce their children to the world of reading.’

a matter of opinion

Something not capable of being proven either way.
‘relativism tends to regard different beliefs as just a matter of opinion’
- ‘That's a matter of opinion, no matter how outrageous.’
- ‘Claim 3 might be dismissed as a matter of opinion, not a matter of knowledge.’
- ‘The extent of flooding is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact.’
- ‘Just who is to blame is a matter of opinion, but if your main interest is in your standard of living, the cost and quality of your children's education and continuing health care in a public system, then your choice should be simple.’
- ‘He said: ‘It is not a matter of opinion, there is data which clearly shows that weather patterns are changing.’’
- ‘Yet the existence of cultural diversity did not lead them to view their own preference for monogamous marriages as a matter of opinion or local cultural taste.’
- ‘It's all a matter of opinion and we do need hard evidence that what's being done is wrong before taking any action.’
- ‘That was always going to be subjective, a matter of opinion.’
- ‘That editorial articles exist in support of it is not a matter of opinion, but of fact.’
- ‘An interpretation is a matter of opinion; it is not a matter of fact.’