judgment

IPA/ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/
KK[dʒˈʌdʒmənt]IPA/ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/

judgment — noun

  • judgmentsingular
  • judgmentsplural

1. the natural or learned ability to understand situations and people clearly and t

1.nounB1
Definition

the natural or learned ability to understand situations and people clearly and to make sensible decisions about them

Example

Sora showed good judgment by waiting for more information before making a decision.

Hugo's poor judgment in choosing business partners cost the company nearly half its yearly profit.

poor judgment + business/financial context

Common collocations
  • good judgment
  • poor judgment
  • sound judgment
  • excellent judgment
  • use your judgment
  • trust someone's judgment
  • an error of judgment
  • judgment of character
Synonyms
  • discernment

    more formal; emphasizes the ability to detect fine distinctions that others miss

  • wisdom

    broader; includes deep life experience and understanding, not just decision-making

  • prudence

    stresses careful, cautious decision-making with an eye on future risks

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

judgment + of + noun phrase

adjective + judgment

possessive + judgment

Usage Note

Often modified by an adjective (good, poor, sound, excellent, bad). Frequently appears in phrases such as 'use your judgment', 'trust someone's judgment', or 'an error of judgment'.

Common Mistakes

I trust her opinion about the business.
I trust her judgment about the business.
'judgment' means her ability to decide wisely; 'opinion' is just what she thinks on one topic.
He has a good judgment.
He has good judgment.
In this sense, judgment is uncountable, so you don't use 'a'.

2. a personal conclusion reached after carefully weighing the relevant facts or evi

2.nounB1
Definition

a personal conclusion reached after carefully weighing the relevant facts or evidence about a person, situation, or issue

Example

After interviewing three candidates, Hugo made his judgment about who to hire.

make a judgment about [topic]

The health committee's judgment was that the restaurant had broken several safety rules.

Common collocations
  • make a judgment
  • form a judgment
  • reach a judgment
  • fair judgment
  • professional judgment
  • final judgment
  • personal judgment
Synonyms
  • assessment

    more formal; often used in professional or academic contexts

  • evaluation

    systematic and detailed; implies examining evidence

  • verdict

    draws on the legal sense; a final, decisive opinion

Grammar Patterns

make a judgment about/on something

form a judgment

reach a judgment

judgment that + clause

Usage Note

This sense refers to the opinion or conclusion itself (the result of thinking), not the ability to think well. Distinguish from sense 1: 'She has good judgment' (ability) vs 'She made a good judgment' (specific opinion).

Common Mistakes

I need time to do a judgment about this.
I need time to make a judgment about this.
The verb is 'make' or 'form', not 'do'.
My judgment is it will rain.
My judgment is that it will rain.
When followed by a clause, use 'that'.

3. used in the fixed phrase 'in someone's judgment' to introduce what someone think

3.nounB2
Definition

used in the fixed phrase 'in someone's judgment' to introduce what someone thinks or believes about a matter, often when expressing an opinion firmly

Example

In my judgment, the company should focus on improving customer service first.

In Élise's judgment, the film was far too long and the story hard to follow.

in [person]'s judgment + opinion phrase

Common collocations
  • in my judgment
  • in her judgment
  • in the court's judgment
  • in the committee's judgment
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

in + possessive + judgment

Usage Note

This sense only appears in the fixed phrase 'in someone's judgment'. It is more formal than 'in my opinion' and is common in professional writing, reports, and formal discussions. The judgment belongs to the speaker's reasoned view, not a casual preference.

Common Mistakes

To my judgment, this plan will fail.
In my judgment, this plan will fail.
The preposition must be 'in', not 'to'.

4. an official decision made by a judge or a court of law, stating whether someone

4.nounB2
Definition

an official decision made by a judge or a court of law, stating whether someone is legally responsible or what should happen in a legal dispute

Example

The judge will deliver her judgment in the fraud case next Monday morning.

The Supreme Court's judgment affected the rights of thousands of workers across the country.

Common collocations
  • deliver a judgment
  • issue a judgment
  • appeal a judgment
  • overturn a judgment
  • judgment against
  • final judgment
  • court judgment
  • Supreme Court judgment
Synonyms
  • ruling

    less formal than 'judgment'; common in news reports about court decisions

  • verdict

    specifically the jury's decision (guilty/not guilty), not the judge's formal order

  • decree

    more formal; often used in certain types of civil or family court orders

  • decision

    general term; less specific to legal contexts

Grammar Patterns

deliver a judgment

pass judgment

appeal a judgment

judgment against someone

Usage Note

In legal contexts, 'judgment' is the formal decision of a court. A 'sentence' is the specific punishment in a criminal case — a judgment can be about liability without involving punishment. In British English the spelling 'judgement' is common for legal contexts; 'judgment' is standard in American English.

Common Mistakes

The judge will pronounce the sentence on who is responsible.
The judge will deliver the judgment on who is responsible.
'Sentence' is the punishment; 'judgment' is the decision about responsibility.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Judgment is the general ability to evaluate people and situations and make sound decisions. Discernment emphasizes sharp perception — the ability to notice fine distinctions that others overlook, such as discerning genuine talent from mere confidence. Wisdom is broader, incorporating deep life experience, self-knowledge, and long-term perspective; a person can have good judgment without being wise. Prudence specifically involves caution and forethought, especially in financial or risky matters. Discretion adds an element of tact — knowing what to say or do to avoid causing offense. For example, an interviewer uses judgment to pick the best candidate, discernment to read between the lines of their answers, and discretion when declining unsuccessful applicants.

discernment ↗wisdom ↗prudencediscretion ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • against your better judgment
  • in someone's judgment
  • pass judgment
  • error of judgment
  • lack of judgment
  • exercise of judgment

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Judgment entered English through Old French 'jugement', which came from Latin 'judicium' (a judging, a trial). The Latin root 'judex' (a judge) is itself a compound: 'jus' (right, law) plus 'dicere' (to say), meaning one who speaks the law. The spelling without the middle 'e' (judgment) is standard in American English, while 'judgement' is still common in British English, especially in legal writing.