opinion

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin opinion-, opinio, from opinari Date: 14th century 1. a. a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b. approval, esteem 2. a. belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b. a generally held view 3. a. a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b. the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based • opinioned adjective Synonyms: opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute <

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

>. view suggests a subjective opinion <

very assertive in stating his views

>. belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent <

a firm belief in her party's platform

>. conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief <

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

>. persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth <

was of the persuasion that everything changes

>. sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings <

her feminist sentiments are well-known

>.