judges
judges — noun
1. people in a court who hear cases, rule on legal questions, and decide sentences
people in a court who hear cases, rule on legal questions, and decide sentences when the law has been broken
The judges asked both lawyers to explain the missing phone records.
judges ask lawyers to explain evidence
Three judges entered the courtroom before the murder trial began.
The appeal judges reduced Omar's sentence after reading the new evidence.
Federal judges sometimes block new rules while a case is still open.
- magistrates
used for lower-court judicial officers in some legal systems
- justices
often used in the names of higher-court judges
- jurists
more formal and often broader, including legal scholars
用法筆記
Used for people with legal authority in a court. Distinguish from a jury, which may decide guilt in some systems but does not normally issue the final legal ruling or sentence.
常見錯誤
2. people chosen to decide which person, team, or piece of work should officially w
people chosen to decide which person, team, or piece of work should officially win a contest
The judges gave first prize to Naoko's photo of the night market.
judges give first prize
After the final dance, the judges compared their score sheets quietly.
Two judges studied each cake before tasting a small slice.
The judges could not agree, so the singing contest went to a tie-break.
- adjudicators
more formal and common in official competitions
- scorers
focuses on giving points rather than choosing the winner overall
- panelists
can refer to members of a judging panel, but is less precise
用法筆記
Common in talent shows, art contests, cooking competitions, and sports where scores are given for performance. Distinguish from 'referees', who mainly enforce rules during play.
常見錯誤
3. people with enough knowledge or experience to tell whether something is good, ba
people with enough knowledge or experience to tell whether something is good, bad, or suitable
Experienced food judges notice stale oil after one bite of fried fish.
judges with trained taste
Wine judges at the fair discussed which bottle had the cleanest finish.
Even expert judges of character can trust the wrong business partner.
Art judges spotted a copied design in Jude's poster right away.
- experts
broader term for people with specialist knowledge
- critics
often used for people who publish opinions about art, food, or culture
- evaluators
more formal and often used in work or academic settings
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns like 'judges of character', 'judges of taste', and 'judges of wine'. It emphasizes trained judgment, not an official job title.
常見錯誤
judges — verb
1. if someone judges, they decide what they think about a person, event, or situati
if someone judges, they decide what they think about a person, event, or situation after considering what they know
Lisa judges job applicants by how clearly they answer follow-up questions.
judge someone by + clause
The doctor judges the rash harmless after checking Eli's temperature.
judge + object + adjective
Christopher rarely judges a film from the trailer alone.
Our coach judges whether the team is ready after the practice match.
文法句型
judge whether + clause
judge someone/something by + noun
judge + object + adjective
用法筆記
Often takes evidence, behaviour, or results as the basis for an opinion. Distinguish from sense 4, which highlights the sign or clue that leads to the opinion rather than the broader act of evaluation.
常見錯誤
2. if someone judges another person, they speak or think badly about that person's
if someone judges another person, they speak or think badly about that person's choices as if they were morally better
Tyler judges his sister for wearing cheap clothes to interviews.
judge someone for + -ing
Aylin never judges friends who need time off for therapy.
The talk-show host judges young mothers without knowing their daily struggles.
Our neighbor judges people by their accent before hearing their ideas.
- criticize
broader and does not always imply moral superiority
- condemn
stronger and often sounds public or formal
- look down on
focuses on treating someone as socially or morally inferior
- understand
suggests sympathy rather than blame
文法句型
judge someone for + noun/-ing
judge someone by + noun
用法筆記
Carries a negative tone. It usually suggests unfair criticism, especially when the speaker has little understanding of the other person's situation.
常見錯誤
3. if someone judges a contest, show, or match, they officially choose who wins or
if someone judges a contest, show, or match, they officially choose who wins or how each performance is scored
Quan judges the school debate and writes notes after each speech.
judge a competition
A former gymnast judges Saturday's finals from a table beside the floor.
The chef judges the noodle contest with two local restaurant owners.
Mira judges the costume parade after the children walk past the stage.
- adjudicate
more formal and common in official or legal-style competitions
- score
focuses on giving points rather than overseeing the whole event
- officiate
broader and often used for supervising events or ceremonies
文法句型
judge a competition
judge a show
judge a final
用法筆記
The object is usually an event, a performance, or the people taking part in it. Distinguish from 'referee', which is the usual verb for enforcing rules during games such as football.
常見錯誤
4. if someone judges from something, they use a sign or piece of evidence as the ba
if someone judges from something, they use a sign or piece of evidence as the basis for what they think
Sahil judges from the quiet kitchen that the lunch rush is over.
judge from + noun + that-clause
The nurse judges by Élise's smile that the pain medicine is working.
judge by + noun + that-clause
Our teacher judges from the empty seats that half the class is absent.
The captain judges by the dark clouds that the ferry should wait.
文法句型
judge from + noun + that-clause
judge by + noun + that-clause
用法筆記
Usually names the clue after 'from' or 'by', then states the conclusion. Distinguish from sense 1, where the focus is the opinion itself rather than the visible sign that leads to it.