matter of opinion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “matter of opinion” mean?
Something that is not objectively true or false, but depends on personal judgment, taste, or perspective.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something that is not objectively true or false, but depends on personal judgment, taste, or perspective.
A subject or issue about which people can legitimately hold different views; a point that is debatable rather than factual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'matter of opinion' in UK English, while US English might occasionally use 'opinion question' in similar contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Can carry a slightly dismissive tone if used to shut down debate.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “matter of opinion” in a Sentence
[It/That] is a matter of opinion.Whether... is a matter of opinion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “matter of opinion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Whether the film is any good rather matters to me, but it's a matter of opinion.
American English
- It doesn't matter what they think; the best approach is a matter of opinion.
adverb
British English
- He spoke opinionatedly, forgetting the issue was a matter of opinion.
American English
- She argued opinionately, though everyone knew it was purely a matter of opinion.
adjective
British English
- The report highlighted several opinion-based matters for the committee.
American English
- We're dealing with an opinion-driven matter, not a data-driven one.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing subjective aspects of strategy, marketing, or leadership style.
Academic
Appears in humanities and social sciences to denote interpretative differences.
Everyday
Common in discussions about taste, politics, art, and personal choices.
Technical
Rare in hard sciences; used in fields like ethics, law, or aesthetics where interpretation varies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matter of opinion”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “matter of opinion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matter of opinion”
- Using 'matter for opinion' (incorrect preposition).
- Treating it as countable (*'a matter of opinions').
- Confusing with 'in my opinion' (which introduces a subjective view, rather than labelling the topic itself).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost always singular ('a matter of opinion'). The word 'opinion' is uncountable in this phrase.
Yes, it is acceptable in formal contexts to acknowledge subjectivity or debate, particularly in academic or professional discourse.
'Matter of opinion' describes the nature of an issue (subjective). 'Difference of opinion' describes a disagreement between people about such an issue.
You can say, "That may be true for you, but I think it's a matter of opinion," to indicate you hold a different view without dismissing theirs outright.
Something that is not objectively true or false, but depends on personal judgment, taste, or perspective.
Matter of opinion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmætər əv əˈpɪnjən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmætər əv əˈpɪnjən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (related concept)”
- “Agree to disagree”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a courtroom where the JUDGE states facts, but the JURY gives opinions. A 'matter of opinion' is for the jury—it's what people think, not what the law says.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPINIONS ARE POSSESSIONS ("hold an opinion"), OPINIONS ARE FOOD ("half-baked opinion"), TRUTH IS SOLID/OPINION IS LIQUID ("fluid opinions" vs. "solid facts").
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is closest in meaning to 'a matter of opinion'?