opinion

o‧pin‧ion S1 W2 /əˈpɪnjən/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin opinio]
1. [uncountable and countable] your ideas or beliefs about a particular subject
opinion of
What’s your opinion of Cathy?
opinion on
He asked his wife’s opinion on every important decision.
opinion about
The two women had very different opinions about drugs.
in my opinion (=used when giving your opinion)
In my opinion, the law should be changed. ⇨ ↑view¹(1)
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say I think ... rather than my opinion is ... or in my opinion .... In questions, people usually ask what do you think? rather than what is your opinion?:
▪ What do you think of Cathy?
2. [countable] judgement or advice from a professional person about something:
When choosing an insurance policy it’s best to get an independent opinion.
My doctor says I need an operation, but I’ve asked for a second opinion (=advice from a second doctor to make sure that the first advice is right).
They took the painting to get an expert opinion (=an opinion from someone who knows a lot).
3. have a high/low/good/bad etc opinion of somebody/something to think that someone or something is very good or very bad:
They have a very high opinion of Paula’s work.
4. be of the opinion (that) to think that something is true:
I was firmly of the opinion that we should not give Jackson any more money.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

opinion

opin·ion [opinion opinions] [əˈpɪnjən] [əˈpɪnjən] noun
1. countable your feelings or thoughts about sb/sth, rather than a fact
Syn: view
• ~ (about/of/on sb/sth) We were invited to give our opinions about how the work should be done.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• Everyone had an opinion on the subject.
• ~ (that…) The chairman expressed the opinion that job losses were inevitable.
• He has very strong political opinions.
• In my opinion, it's a very sound investment.
• (formal) It is our opinion that he should resign.

• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy not to accept.

2. uncountable the beliefs or views of a group of people
• legal/medical/political opinion (= the beliefs of people working in the legal, etc. profession)
• There is a difference of opinion (= people disagree) as to the merits of the plan.
• Opinion is divided (= people disagree) on the issue.
• There is a wide body of opinion that supports this proposal.
• Which is the better is a matter of opinion (= people have different opinions about it).

see also public opinion

3. countable advice from a professional person
• They called in a psychologist to give an independent opinion.
• I'd like a second opinion (= advice from another person) before I make a decision.
more at your considered opinion at consider
Idioms: have a good/bad/high/low opinion of somebody ▪ of the opinion that …
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin opinio(n-), from the stem of opinari ‘think, believe’.
Thesaurus:
opinion noun C, U
• In my opinion he should resign.
view • • point of view • • belief • • idea • • feeling • • judgement • • point • • attitude • • stance • • position • • line • • conviction • |formal sentiment •
sb's opinion/view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/judgement/point/conviction/sentiments about sb/sth
sb's opinion/view/ideas/feelings/stance/position/line on sb/sth
have a/an opinion/view/point of view/belief/idea/feeling/attitude/line/conviction
express your opinion/view/point of view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/conviction/sentiments
Language Bank:
according to
Reporting someone's opinion
▪ Photography is, according to ▪ Vidal, the art form of untalented people.
For ▪ Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.
▪ His view is that ▪ photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.
▪ Smith takes the view that ▪ photography is both an art and a science.
In ▪ Brown's view ▪, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.
▪ James is of the opinion that ▪ a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.
▪ Emerson believed that ▪ a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.
Language Banks at argue, opinion
Language Bank:
opinion
Giving your personal opinion
In my opinion ▪, everyone should have some understanding of science.
▪ Everyone should, in my opinion ▪, have some understanding of science.
It seems to me that ▪ many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.
▪ This is, in my view ▪, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.
▪ Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe ▪, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.
▪ Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that ▪ science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.
In this writer's opinion ▪, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.
Synonyms at think
Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhaps
Example Bank:
• ‘Miami is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’
• Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk.
• Contrary to popular opinion, not all of Hitchcock's movies were great.
• He asked me for my opinion of the course.
• He has a very high opinion of your work.
• He writes an opinion piece in the ‘New York Times’.
• I don't share your opinion of his ability.
• I don't trust her, if you want my honest opinion.
• I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted.
• If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion.
• If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful.
• In my opinion, golf is a dull sport.
• Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe.
• Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food.
• Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk.
• Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals.
• Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment.
• She holds strong opinions on education.
• The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal.
• The country's government appears disdainful of world opinion.
• The meeting will give people the chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
• This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion.
• a genuine difference of opinion between the experts
• all shades of political opinion
• attempts to shape public opinion
• in the present climate of opinion
• opinions as to the merits of the plan
• ‘I think she's great.’ ‘Well, that's a matter of opinion’.
• Everyone had a different opinion on the matter.
• I didn't ask for your opinion!
• I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy to accept the offer.
• In my opinion it's a very sound investment.
• It's our opinion that he should resign.
• Medical opinion differs as to whether the condition has any psychological causes.
• Opinion is divided about whether to join the new currency.
• Public opinion is shifting in favour of change.
• There is a difference of opinion as to the merits of the plan.
• We try to represent all shades of opinion.
• You can always ask for a second opinion if you're not sure.

• You need to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

opinion / əˈpɪn.jən / noun

B1 [ C ] a thought or belief about something or someone:

What's your opinion about/on the matter?

People tend to have strong opinions on capital punishment.

He didn't express/give an opinion on the matter.

Who, in your opinion, (= who do you think) is the best football player in the world today?

He's very much of the opinion that alternative medicine is a waste of time.

B2 [ U ] the thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have:

Eventually, the government will have to take notice of public opinion.

There is a diverse range of opinion on the issue.

There was a difference of opinion as to the desirability of the project.

Opinion is divided as to whether the treatment actually works.

Both performances were excellent, it's simply a matter of opinion as to whose was better.

B1 [ C ] a judgment about someone or something:

Her opinion of Adam changed after he'd been so helpful at the wedding.

She has a good/high opinion of his abilities (= thinks he is good) .

I have a rather bad/low/poor opinion of my sister's boyfriend (= I do not like or approve of him) .

He has a very high opinion of himself (= thinks he is very skilled/clever in a way that is annoying) .

B1 [ C ] a judgment made by an expert:

My doctor has referred me to a specialist for a second opinion on the results of my blood test.

Word partners for opinion

have / hold an opinion • express / give / voice an opinion • conflicting / differing / strong opinions • sb's considered / personal opinion • in sb's opinion • sb's opinion about sth • be of the opinion (that)

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

opinion

[əpɪ̱njən]

opinions
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, N that Your opinion about something is what you think or believe about it.
  I wasn't asking for your opinion, Dick...
  He held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax...
  Most who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.
2) N-SING: usu supp N, N of n Your opinion of someone is your judgement of their character or ability.
  That improved Mrs Goole's already favourable opinion of him.
  Syn:
  estimation
3) N-UNCOUNT You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion.
  Some, I suppose, might even be in positions to influence opinion...
  There is a broad consensus of opinion about the policies which should be pursued.
4) N-COUNT: usu sing An opinion from an expert is the advice or judgement that they give you in the subject that they know a lot about.
  Even if you have had a regular physical check-up recently, you should still seek a medical opinion.
5) → See also public opinion, second opinion
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You add expressions such as `in my opinion' or `in their opinion' to a statement in order to indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact.
  The book is, in Henry's opinion, the best book on the subject...
  Well he's not making a very good job of it in my opinion.
7) PHRASE: v-link PHR that If someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe. [FORMAL]
  Frank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.
8) a matter of opinion → see matter

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

opinion

opin·ion /əˈpɪnjən/ noun, pl -ions
1 : a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing

[count]

• Why ask (for) my opinion if you have already decided?
• I value your opinion. [=I respect the way you think about things]
• We asked for their opinions about/on the new stadium.
• In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.
• Most of the people surveyed have a high/low opinion of the organization. [=most of the people surveyed think that the organization is good/bad]
• She has enough knowledge of the system to offer an informed opinion [=an opinion based on information] of why it isn't working.
• The meeting will give residents a chance to listen to some expert opinions. [=opinions of experts]

[noncount]

• The owner of the store is often there to offer customers expert opinion. [=an expert's opinion]
• Which one is better is a matter of opinion. [=people have different opinions about which one is better]
• I'm glad that we can have a difference of opinion [=we can disagree] and still be friends.
• The general opinion is that the players are paid too much. [=most people think that the players are paid too much]
• The company has been unsuccessful in its efforts to sway/change public opinion. [=to change what most people think]
• Contrary to popular opinion [=despite what many people think], fame does not always bring happiness.
2 [count] : advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
• We're still seeking medical opinions [=advice from doctors] on the cause of the pain.
• My doctor says I need surgery, but I'm going to get a second opinion. [=advice from a second doctor to make sure advice from the first doctor is correct]
3 [count] technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules
• The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
be of the opinion : to have a specifed opinion or belief
• They are of the opinion [=they think/believe] that the accident was caused by faulty wiring.
the court of public/world opinion
- see ¹court