opinion
/əˈpɪnjən/
A subjective perspective that contrasts with objective fact. It carries a sense of personal preference or interpretation, often implying that the statement is open to debate rather than being an absolute truth. In casual contexts, it suggests a whim or a bias. In professional settings—such as law or medicine—it shifts toward 'expert opinion,' where the word denotes a high-level synthesis of experience and evidence, though it remains a judgment rather than a mathematical certainty. Compared to 'belief,' an opinion is often more flexible and less tied to identity or faith; it is something one can change after hearing a new argument.
Countable when referring to a specific judgment or a professional's verdict ('I sought a second opinion'). Uncountable when referring to the general act of holding a belief or the quality of having a viewpoint ('Opinion is divided on the matter').
💬Casual Conversation
David wants your opinion on the new logos. You gonna wing it or actually look at them?
I'm totally clocked out. Tell him I'll get back to him tomorrow.
Meanings
Etymology
Derived from the Latin opīniō, meaning a belief, expectation, or suspicion, which stems from the verb opīnārī meaning to think or believe. This root is further linked to the Proto-Indo-European root pē- meaning to persuade or convince, evolving through Old French as opinion before entering Middle English.