opinion Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
thought; persuasion; sentiment; view.
- my opinion differs from yours
- I am not of your persuasion
- what are your thoughts on Haiti?
noun a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
view.
- his opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
noun a belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people
popular opinion; public opinion; vox populi.
- he asked for a poll of public opinion
noun the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision
judgement; judgment; legal opinion.
- opinions are usually written by a single judge
noun the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
ruling.
noun a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
impression; feeling; belief; notion.
- his impression of her was favorable
- what are your feelings about the crisis?
- it strengthened my belief in his sincerity
- I had a feeling that she was lying

F., from L. opinio. See Opine.

That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persussion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting. Sir M. Hale.

I can not put off my opinion so easily. Shak.
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people. Shak.

Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend. South.

However, I have no opinion of those things. Bacon.
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem. Obs.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion. Shak.

This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises. Milton.
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness. Obs. Shak.
(Law.) The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted. Syn. -- Sentiment; notion; persuasion; idea; view; estimation. See Sentiment.