Meaning & use
opiner
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Meanings
nouncountablerare
A person who states an opinion, especially one who does so often or publicly.
Grammar: Countable: use 'an opiner' for one person and 'opiners' for several.
Patterns
- an opiner on something
- a frequent opiner
The article quoted several opiners who disagreed with the new policy.
She is a regular opiner on the radio, always ready with a quick judgment.
nouncountableraredisapproving
Someone who expresses an opinion rather than verified facts.
Grammar: Often used slightly critically, contrasting opinion with expertise or evidence.
Patterns
- a mere opiner
- opiner rather than expert
Critics dismissed him as a mere opiner with no data to support his claims.
In a debate full of opiners, the scientist was the only one citing evidence.
Word forms
| plural | opiners |
|---|
Common combinations
- a frequent opiner
- He is a frequent opiner on the letters page of the local paper.
- an opiner on politics
- As an opiner on politics, she writes short pieces for a blog.
- a mere opiner
- The referee was called a mere opiner by the angry coach.
- a vocal opiner
- Vocal opiners filled the comments section within minutes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- commenter
- Much more common today and neutral; it suggests someone leaving a comment online rather than simply holding an opinion.
- pundit
- Stronger and more public: a pundit is usually paid to give expert opinions in the media, while an opiner may be anyone.
- critic
- Focuses on finding fault; an opiner may offer any opinion, not only negative ones.
Word family
- opine verb
- To state an opinion, especially in a formal or slightly pompous way.
- opinion noun
- A belief or judgment that is not necessarily based on proof.
- opinionated adjective
- Holding strong opinions and often unwilling to change them.
Commonly confused: opiner or opiner vs. opinion?
opiner vs opiner vs. opinion
'Opiner' is a rare noun for a person; 'opinion' is the belief itself. Learners sometimes write 'opiner' when they mean 'opinion'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'opiner' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Opiner' is a countable noun for a person who gives opinions, so 'several opiners' fits. Options An and D use it where the noun 'opinion' is needed, and C uses it as a verb, which is the job of 'opine'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “opiner”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.