noun

verdict

/ˈvɜːrdɪkt/ · say it: VER·dikt

the decision of a jury or judge in a trial

In Law & Justice

In more detail

1. (noun) a decision or judgment made by a jury in a court of law

2. (noun) an opinion or decision about something

Examples

1. The jury announced their verdict: guilty on all charges.
2. After trying both restaurants, my verdict is that the Italian one has better pasta.

How to use verdict

Verdict primarily refers to a formal decision by a jury in a court case, but is also used more broadly for any authoritative judgment or conclusion about something. In legal contexts, it is the decisive outcome; in general use, it conveys a definitive assessment or opinion formed after consideration.

Common phrases

reach a verdict
deliver a verdict
jury verdict
guilty verdict
not guilty verdict
verdict on

Synonyms

judgment · decision · ruling · conclusion · opinion

Word family

verdicts (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'verdict' for any opinion or comment, when in more formal contexts it should refer to a reasoned conclusion or official judgment rather than casual remarks.

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