What does judgment mean?
Judgment is the capacity to form an opinion, reach a decision, or recognize what is appropriate after careful thought. In everyday contexts, it often implies balance, discernment, and practical wisdom, as in praise for someone who showed good judgment. The word can also denote a particular assessment or decision, such as making a judgment about a piece of evidence. In law, a judgment is the formal ruling delivered by a court, while religious language may describe a divine judgment concerning moral conduct. Judgment is therefore broader than either verdict or opinion: it can refer to the mental process, the conclusion reached, or the official decision itself. The standard spelling is judgment in American English; judgement is a traditional British variant, though both spellings are understood in Britain.
nounThe act or quality of forming an opinion or making a decision after thought. It can also refer to a court's official ruling or, in a religious context, a divine verdict.
- The ability to form an opinion or make a sensible decision.
- A considered opinion or assessment.
- A formal ruling made by a court or other authority.
- A divine decision or punishment, especially in religious belief.
"Her calm judgment helped the team navigate a difficult situation."
"It was a wise judgment to postpone the launch until the software had been thoroughly tested."
"The appeals court overturned the original judgment."
The standard American plural is judgments; judgements is a common British variant. The plural is used for individual opinions, assessments, decisions, or court rulings.
"The judges delivered separate judgments on each of the disputed claims."
A judgment can settle a legal dispute, but the same word also means the everyday ability to make a sensible decision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does judgment come from?
The word entered Middle English in the form jugement, borrowed from Old French jugement, itself derived from juger, “to judge.” These French forms continued Latin roots associated with iudicare, “to declare or pronounce a judgment,” and ultimately with iudex, “judge,” and dicere, “to say.” English judge, judicial, and judicious preserve cognates of the same root.
Related word forms
How judgment is actually used
The spelling judgment is standard in American English and widely accepted in British English; judgement is a common British variant. In legal contexts, judgment usually denotes a ruling, while in general use it often means discerning judgment or an opinion.
Easily confused with judgment
Judgement is a traditional British spelling of judgment, though judgment is also standard in British English and is the dominant spelling in American English.
A judge is the person who evaluates evidence or delivers a ruling, whereas a judgment is the opinion, decision, or ruling itself.