Opinion: A View That Does Not Claim to Be Proof
An opinion is a judgement not founded on certainty. Law and medicine use the word in precise ways that ordinary speech does not.
An opinion is a view held without certainty. Two professions use it far more precisely than everyday speech. A legal opinion is formal written advice from counsel, and a medical second opinion is a fresh assessment from another doctor. In both, the word signals a considered judgement rather than a casual preference.
- A personal view. *In my opinion.*
- Professional advice. *A legal opinion.*
- General sentiment. *Public opinion shifted.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | opinion | A strong opinion. |
| Plural | opinions | Divided opinions. |
| Adjective | opinionated | An opinionated columnist. |
| Related | opine | He opined at length. |
| Related | poll | An opinion poll. |
How it is used in a sentence
- In my opinion the plan is too slow.Standard hedge.
- She sought a second opinion.Medical.
- Public opinion turned within a week.Collective sentiment.
Opinion, fact and belief
- Fact — can be checked against evidence
- Opinion — a judgement that can be argued about
- Belief — something held to be true, with or without evidence
- Bias — a leaning that shapes opinions
- Consensus — the opinion most experts converge on
From Latin *opinionem*, a belief or estimate, from *opinari*, to think or suppose. The same root gives *opine* and, more distantly, *opt*.
Is an opinion the same as a fact?
No. A fact can be verified. An opinion is a judgement, though it can be well informed or badly informed.
What is a legal opinion?
Formal written advice from a lawyer on the merits of a case or the meaning of a rule. It is a professional document, not a personal view.