WordGarden.ioopine
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /əʊpˈaɪn/
US
- /oʊˈpaɪn/
Meanings
Verb
to express or state an opinion
Beyond the definition
To opine is to express an opinion, usually in a fairly formal way. It often suggests that someone is giving a considered view rather than making a quick casual remark. You might picture a person in a novel who likes to opine on everything from local politics to the weather.
The word is closely related to "opinion," but it sounds more formal and is more common in writing than in everyday speech. You would not usually say, "I opine that chocolate is delicious," but you may see sentences like, "Critics opine that the new film is a masterpiece." It is especially useful when reporting what someone else has said or thinks.
The word opine means to express an opinion or state what one thinks, usually in a formal or thoughtful way. It often appears when the speaker or writer wants to present a view as more considered than a casual comment. For example, saying that "Experts opine that the economy will recover slowly" suggests that they are offering a judgment based on reflection or knowledge.
Opine is most at home in formal writing, journalism, and careful speech. It works well as an alternative to "said," "thought," or "believed" when the focus is on a stated opinion. You might read, "The mayor opined that the new park would revitalize the neighborhood," which highlights that she was expressing a view, not simply having a private thought.
The word does not always imply certainty, but it usually points to a clear view being expressed rather than a mere guess. It can sometimes carry a slightly dry or critical tone, especially when someone seems eager to share views at length. Derived from the Latin opinari ("to think or believe"), it is most often used to report the opinions of others. If someone is publicly and formally sharing what they think, they may be described as opining.
Examples
- 1
Formal tone
She opined that the plan was too risky.
- Usage
opine is formal and can sound slightly humorous in everyday speech
- 2
Dinner conversation
At dinner, my uncle opined that phones had ruined conversation.
- 3
Report conclusion
The report opines that higher rents are pushing young families out of the city.
- 4
Professional limits
I’m not qualified to opine on the medical side of the case.
- Patternopine on + subject
give an opinion about a particular subject
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal opinion
The court opined that the law did not apply to private messages.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- opineverb
Forms
- opinedpast tenseverb
- opinesverb
- opining-ing formverb