verdict
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A formal decision or judgment made by a jury in a court of law.
Any considered opinion, judgment, or decision reached after evaluation, especially one that is decisive or final.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The core legal sense is concrete and countable. The extended sense is more abstract but retains the connotations of finality and authority derived from the legal context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term identically in legal and general contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of authority and finality in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERDICT on somethingVERDICT of (guilty/not guilty)VERDICT that + clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The verdict is still out (on something/someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for the market's or analysts' final judgment on a product or strategy: 'The sales figures delivered a harsh verdict on the new marketing campaign.'
Academic
Used to describe the conclusion of a scholarly debate or the findings of research: 'The historian's verdict on the treaty's effectiveness was scathing.'
Everyday
Used for personal opinions on everyday matters: 'So, what's your verdict on the new restaurant?'
Technical
Primarily in legal contexts, referring to the formal finding of fact by a jury.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Verdict' is not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The jury's verdict was 'not guilty'.
- What is your verdict on the cake? Do you like it?
- After three days of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict.
- The critics have given their verdict on the new film, and it's mostly positive.
- The verdict of the inquiry was that the company had acted negligently.
- The public delivered its verdict at the ballot box, voting for a change of government.
- The court of appeal overturned the original verdict due to procedural irregularities.
- While the verdict on the long-term economic impact is still out, initial indicators are promising.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VERy DECisive Result of a Trial' -> VERDICT.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUDGMENT IS A VERDICT (e.g., 'History will deliver its verdict on his leadership.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'приговор' (sentence/pronouncement of punishment). A 'verdict' is the decision on guilt/innocence; the 'sentence' follows. In non-legal contexts, 'вердикт' is a direct cognate but used less frequently than in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'verdict' to mean 'sentence' (e.g., 'He got a 10-year verdict.' - Incorrect). Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The jury will verdict tomorrow.' - Incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the use of 'verdict' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary and most formal meaning is legal, it is commonly used metaphorically in everyday, business, and academic contexts to mean a final judgment or decision.
No. 'Verdict' is exclusively a noun. The corresponding verb is 'to find' or 'to rule' (e.g., 'The jury found him guilty').
A 'verdict' is the jury's decision on whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty. A 'sentence' is the punishment (e.g., prison time, a fine) that a judge imposes after a guilty verdict.
It means that a final decision or judgment has not yet been reached, and people are still waiting to see what the outcome or consensus will be.
Collections
Part of a collection
Law and Regulation
C1 · 46 words · Legal language and regulatory frameworks.