What does judgement mean?
Judgement means a conclusion or opinion reached after careful thought, and it can also refer to a formal decision made by a court. In everyday use, the word often suggests that a person has weighed facts, considered alternatives, and formed a balanced view rather than reacting impulsively. Expressions such as sound judgement and good judgement emphasize practical wisdom, self-control, and the ability to make sensible decisions. A judgement may also function as an assessment of a person, plan, or piece of work. The legal sense is closely associated with judging in court, where a judgement settles a dispute or determines the outcome of a case. The word is commonly used in British English as judgement, while American English generally favors judgment. Both forms are understood internationally, and the choice of spelling does not normally change the meaning.
An opinion, conclusion, or assessment formed after consideration; a formal decision made by a court; or the capacity to make sound decisions.
"The judge delivered his judgement on Monday."
The legal sense is a count noun and can be modified by words such as final or written. In the sense of ability, it is generally uncountable, as in a display of sound judgement.
To form an opinion or make an assessment after considering the relevant information.
"We judged the proposal to be practical and affordable."
The verb is chiefly British and less common in American English, where judge is preferred.
The plural is judgements in British English and judgments in American English.
"The committee published several judgements on the year's leading cases."
The word behind a courtroom decision—and behind everyday choices about what is fair, wise, or worth doing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does judgement come from?
Judgement developed from the Anglo-French word jugement, meaning a decision or judgment, which was borrowed from Latin iudicium, a legal decision or verdict. The word is related to judge and to the Latin verb iudicare, meaning to judge or decide. The spelling with -e is traditional in British English, while judgment became the dominant form in American English.
Related word forms
How judgement is actually used
In general use, judgement often suggests an opinion formed deliberately or after careful thought. The spelling judgement is standard in British English and is also understood in American English, although judgment is more common there. In legal writing, judgement and judgment are both accepted in British usage, while judgment is preferred in American legal style.
Easily confused with judgement
Judgement and judgment are variant spellings of the same word; judgment is the more common spelling in American English, while judgement is especially common in British English.
A judgement is an opinion, assessment, or legal decision, whereas a judge is the person who evaluates evidence or makes a legal decision.