What does judgemental mean?
Judgemental describes a person, comment, or approach characterized by criticism and a readiness to make harsh judgments about others. It is especially common in British English, while American English more often uses the spelling judgmental. The word often suggests that an assessment is unnecessarily personal, moralistic, or fault-finding rather than fair and balanced. For example, calling someone's appearance or lifestyle “judgemental” implies that the speaker is imposing an unreasonable standard. Although judgemental behaviour can involve legitimate evaluation, the term generally carries a negative connotation and is used to criticize an attitude of excessive scrutiny or disapproval.
adjectiveCritical or inclined to make judgments about people or situations, often in an unnecessarily harsh or opinionated way.
- Critical and inclined to pass harsh or personal judgments about others.
- Expressing a strong evaluative opinion about someone or something.
"Her comments about his appearance were unnecessarily judgemental."
"The review avoided making judgemental comments about the author's politics."
"She grew tired of his judgemental attitude toward anyone who disagreed with him."
Judgemental behaviour often reveals more about the judge than the person being judged.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of judgemental
The adjective judgemental was formed in English from judgment, meaning an opinion or decision, together with the suffix -al. Judgment itself comes through Old French jugement from Latin judicium, a term associated with judging and legal decision-making, ultimately from Latin judex, meaning “judge.” Related English words include judicial, judicious, and jurisdiction, all belonging to the same wider Latin root associated with judgment and law.
Related word forms
How judgemental is actually used
Chiefly used in British English, although it is also understood in American English. It usually implies criticism that is overly harsh, opinionated, or directed at another person's characteristics or choices.
Easily confused with judgemental
Judgemental is the usual British spelling, while judgmental is the usual American spelling; both have the same meaning.