-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

250 / 371

noun

opinion

uh-PIN-yun/əˈpɪnjən/

A belief or considered judgment about something.

The two viewers have very different opinions about the painting.

Opinion: two adults viewing the same abstract painting; one woman visibly delighted gives a thumbs up, one man thoughtfully frowns with palm tilted doubtfully.

Etymology

opinLatinthink, judge, suppose

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

An opinion is the result of thinking or judging. Its early sense emphasized a conclusion based on evidence short of certainty, which helps explain its use for a personal belief rather than established knowledge.

In context

Clint Swindall1:53

everyone has a strong opinion about everything and so many people seem to think they have the only right answer

Episode 12 The Destruction of Being Right

More examples

In my opinion, the shorter route is safer.
She asks another doctor for a second opinion.
The judge's written opinion explains the court's decision.

Forms

opinion · opinions

opinionated adjective — Holding strong views and expressing them forcefully.

Similar words

belief: Emphasizes accepting something as true, rather than evaluating it.
view: Emphasizes a perspective or position on a particular issue.
judgment: Emphasizes a conclusion reached by weighing evidence or circumstances.