Verdict

Yazar

03/01/2026

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1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation

Verdict (noun) = the formal decision or judgment made by a jury in a court case, or more broadly, any firm opinion or conclusion reached after careful consideration.

This word captures that final, official moment when a decision lands — in court, it’s the jury’s answer to “guilty or not guilty,” ending the trial with high drama. That’s the original legal meaning: a spoken judgment (from Latin “true saying”).

The metaphorical use is now just as common: any strong conclusion or opinion after weighing evidence or experience. People use “verdict” for reviews, public opinion, or personal judgments — like the verdict on a movie, a restaurant, or a political event. It feels authoritative and conclusive, signaling “this is my final take.”

In real life, “verdict” adds weight — courtroom verdicts change lives, while casual ones sum up reactions. It often appears in headlines or discussions for impact: “the public’s verdict was clear.” The word implies thoughtful process leading to a definitive stance.

Examples from the street:

“The jury delivered a guilty verdict after hours of deliberation” → official decision ending the tense trial
“What’s your verdict on the new cafe?” → asking for a firm opinion after trying it
“History’s verdict on the leader was harsh” → final judgment from future generations

2. Most Common Patterns

verdict on/of + noun → judgment about something specific
guilty/not guilty verdict → standard legal outcomes
reach/deliver a verdict → arrive at and announce the decision
the verdict is/was + adjective → stating the conclusion clearly
await/wait for the verdict → suspense before the decision
final/popular verdict → conclusive or public opinion

3. Phrasal Verbs

Note: There are no common phrasal verbs directly containing “verdict” — these are related expressions:

hand down → officially deliver a verdict or judgment
Example: “The judge handed down a severe sentence after the guilty verdict.”
come in → arrive or be announced, as a verdict
Example: “The election results came in late, sealing the political verdict.”
pass judgment → give a verdict or strong opinion
Example: “Critics passed harsh judgment on the film’s ending.”

4. Example Sentences

The jury reached a guilty verdict after three days.→ The panel decided on culpability following extended discussion.
What’s your verdict on the new restaurant?→ How do you finally judge the fresh eating place?
Everyone awaited the verdict with nervous anticipation.→ All parties waited anxiously for the official decision.
The verdict was unanimous in favor of the defendant.→ The conclusion came consistently supporting the accused.
History delivered a harsh verdict on the policy.→ Later generations judged the approach severely.
The judge will deliver the verdict tomorrow morning.→ The official will announce the decision early next day.
Public verdict of the scandal damaged his career.→ Community opinion on the controversy harmed his profession.
The final verdict surprised many observers.→ The conclusive ruling shocked numerous watchers.
Critics’ verdict called the book a masterpiece.→ Reviewers concluded the novel was outstanding.
We wait for the verdict from the tasting panel.→ We’re anticipating the judges’ decision on flavors.

5. Personal Examples

In class debates, students give their verdict on the topic at the end.→ During school discussions, pupils share final opinions on the subject afterward.
After practicing a new phrase, learners want my verdict on their pronunciation.→ Following drills on fresh expressions, students seek my final assessment of their speech sounds.

6. Register: Neutral to Formal

✔ Native usage tips

“Verdict” sounds conclusive — natives use “What’s the verdict?” casually for opinions
In legal contexts, it’s serious: “guilty verdict” carries life-changing weight
Common in reviews: “The verdict: thumbs up” sums up judgments neatly
Adds drama — “awaiting the verdict” builds tension in stories

✔ Similar expressions / words