Belief vs. Opinion: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 15, 2023
Belief is a mental conviction or acceptance that something is true or exists, often without evidence. Opinion is a subjective judgment or evaluation about something, often based on personal views or experience.
Key Differences
Belief is a cognitive state in which an individual holds a proposition to be true. These can be foundational truths that may form the basis of a person's worldview, such as religious or moral principles. Opinion, on the other hand, is a subjective judgment or assessment of a particular issue or topic. While beliefs often serve as underlying principles that guide thought and behavior, opinions are more changeable and often pertain to specific circumstances or subjects.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
In terms of grammatical roles, both belief and opinion function predominantly as nouns in American English. However, the word "belief" can also be employed as part of a verb phrase, as in "I believe in freedom," where "believe" is the verb form. Opinion doesn't have a corresponding verb form; instead, phrases like "in my opinion" or "I think" are used to express the concept.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Belief usually implies a higher degree of certainty and is often harder to change. It can exist without the need for rational justification, and in many cases, people maintain beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence. Opinions are generally easier to alter, as they are based on an individual's current understanding and feelings toward an issue. They can also be substantiated by facts or persuasive arguments, making them more fluid than beliefs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
While both belief and opinion are personal and internal, they differ in how they relate to external validation. Beliefs often form part of a larger system, such as a religious or philosophical doctrine, and can be shared by a community of people. Opinions are individual assessments that may or may not align with a broader community view. They are more open to debate and less likely to form the foundation of organized groups or systems.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
Comparison Chart
ADVERTISEMENT
Community Alignment
Often part of a larger system
Individual, may or may not align
Aimie Carlson
Oct 14, 2023
Belief and Opinion Definitions
ADVERTISEMENT
Opinion
An evaluation or interpretation.
The critic's opinion was not favorable.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
Belief
An acceptance that something exists or is true.
His belief in ghosts is unshakeable.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Opinion
A popular sentiment or collective view.
Public opinion is against the proposal.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
Belief
An opinion that is held as true.
It's his belief that the earth is flat.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
An attorney's formal, usually written statement giving an assessment of how the law should be or is likely to be applied in a particular situation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A piece of testimony that is not usually admissible when given by a layperson, as in contrast to an opinion given by an expert witness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.
I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.
In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.
We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
(European Union law) a judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting.
I can not put off my opinion so easily.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Belief
A mental attitude of trust or confidence.
The child's belief in her parents is touching.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.
However, I have no opinion of those things.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Opinion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
FAQs
What is Belief?
Belief is a mental conviction or acceptance that something is true or exists.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
How do Belief and Opinion differ?
Belief usually involves a higher degree of certainty, while opinion is more changeable.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Can Beliefs be changed easily?
Generally, beliefs are harder to change compared to opinions.
Sara Rehman
Oct 14, 2023
Can Belief and Opinion overlap?
Yes, an opinion can be a type of belief, but not all beliefs are opinions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
Is Opinion always based on facts?
No, opinions can be based on personal feelings and not necessarily on facts.
Sara Rehman
Oct 14, 2023
Is Opinion a noun?
Yes, opinion is mainly used as a noun in American English.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 14, 2023
Do communities share Beliefs?
Often, beliefs form part of a religious, cultural, or philosophical system shared by a community.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
What is Opinion?
Opinion is a subjective judgment or evaluation based on personal views.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Is Belief a noun?
Yes, belief functions primarily as a noun in American English.
Sara Rehman
Oct 14, 2023
Do Beliefs require evidence?
Not necessarily; beliefs can exist without rational justification.
Janet White
Oct 14, 2023
Are Opinions subjective?
Yes, opinions are subjective and can differ from person to person.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
What's the verb form of Belief?
"Believe" is the verb form related to belief.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Does Opinion have a verb form?
No, opinion doesn't have a direct verb form; phrases like "I think" are used instead.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
Are Opinions individual or collective?
Opinions can be individual or form part of a collective sentiment.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
Can Opinions be expert views?
Yes, opinions can be expert evaluations in specific fields.
Harlon Moss
Oct 14, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
