comment
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈɒmɛnt/
US
- /ˈkɑmɛnt/
Description
- remark
- opinion
- note
- feedback
- observation
A comment is a short expression of thought, feeling, or opinion—something you write or say about something. You might leave a comment on a friend's photo online, offer a helpful comment to a coworker, or make a sarcastic comment when someone tells a bad joke.
Comments can be positive ("That was a great presentation!") or negative ("I think this needs more work."). They're often used in discussions—adding your comment can move the conversation forward. In legal or official contexts, a comment may be an explanatory note on a law or regulation. Think of it as sharing your perspective, whether written or spoken.
The word "comment" refers to a statement expressing an opinion, reaction, or observation about something. It's how we share our thoughts and engage with the world around us. For example: "She made a witty comment during the meeting," or "The newspaper article included several critical comments on the new policy."
Comments can take many forms. They are ubiquitous in online spaces – think of blog posts, social media feeds, and video platforms where users leave written comments to share their thoughts. But commenting isn't limited to digital communication. You might offer a verbal comment during a conversation, or even make a "nonverbal comment" through a facial expression or a shrug.
The nature of a comment can vary widely. It could be a simple acknowledgement ("That's interesting!"), a detailed analysis ("I think the author makes a strong point…"), or a critical evaluation ("I disagree with that conclusion.").
In specialized contexts, the word carries more specific meanings: Legal and Academic:* A "comment" refers to an explanatory note added to a text – like a lawyer's comment on a statute or a scholar's comment on a historical document. These provide essential context and interpretation. Programming:* In computer science, a "comment" is a programmer-readable explanation or annotation in source code. These are ignored by compilers but are vital for humans trying to understand how the code works.
So whether you're sharing your thoughts online, offering feedback in person, or documenting complex information, a comment is a fundamental way we express ourselves and interact with others – a little piece of our perspective offered to the world.
Examples
- 1
Digital messages
She left a comment under the video.
- 2
Rude remark
He made a rude comment about my accent.
- 3
Teacher feedback
The teacher wrote a few comments on my essay.
- 4
Public consultation
The plan is open for public comment until Friday.
Phrase
public comment
opinions from ordinary people before an official decision
- 5
Invitation
Would you like to comment?
- 6
Company response
The company refused to comment on the rumor.
Pattern
comment on + topic
say what you think about it
- 7
Reported opinion
Several readers commented that the instructions were hard to follow.
- 8
Refusing answer
"No comment," the senator said when reporters asked about the message.
Phrase
No comment
I will not answer that question
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- commentnounverb
Forms
- commentspluralnounverb
- commentedpast tenseverbnoun
- commenting-ing formverbnoun