opinion
/əˈpɪn.jən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A belief or view about something, especially one you hold but cannot prove is fully true. It is often based on your feelings, experience, or judgment.
- In my opinion, this book is very helpful.
- She has a strong opinion about education.
- Everyone shared an opinion on the proposal.
Adinary Nuance
Opinion is about what someone thinks, not what they know for sure. It is closer to view or judgment than to fact. Compared with belief, opinion is often lighter and more personal. Compared with idea, it is usually a settled view, not just a passing thought.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ý kiến
- Spanish
- opinión
- Chinese
- 意见
- Japanese
- 意見
- Korean
- 의견
Etymology
Opinion came into English in the 14th century from Old French opinion, from Latin opinio, meaning "a view" or "belief."
Common phrases
in my opinionpublic opiniona matter of opinionhave an opinion
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is opinion the same as fact?
- No. An opinion is what someone thinks; a fact is something that can be checked.
- What is the difference between opinion and belief?
- An opinion is a personal view. A belief is often deeper and more fixed.
- Can I say 'I have an opinion on this'?
- Yes. It sounds natural in both speech and writing.
- Is opinion formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in everyday talk, exams, and academic writing.