Judge

dʒʌdʒ

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonPerson
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A person who decides the outcome of a legal case or a competition.

dʒʌdʒ

nounneutralBeginner
Person

A public officer appointed to decide cases in a court of law.

The judge listened to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

💡 Simply: A judge is like a referee in a game or a grown-up in a court who makes the final call about who wins or what is right.

👶 For kids: A judge is a person who decides who is right in a court of law. They listen to the people and make a decision.

More Examples

2

The judge’s ruling was final and could not be appealed.

3

The judge wore a black robe and sat on a high bench.

How It's Used

Law

"The judge presided over the trial, ensuring the legal proceedings were fair."

Sports

"The judge awarded the gold medal based on the athletes' performance."

2

To form an opinion or conclusion after considering the facts.

dʒʌdʒ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To form an opinion or conclusion about something.

The teacher will judge the students' essays based on their writing skills.

💡 Simply: To judge is like making up your mind about something after you've looked at all the evidence. Like, "I judge this pizza is delicious!" after eating a slice.

👶 For kids: To judge means to make a decision about something. Like, to decide if something is good or bad.

More Examples

2

Don't judge others without knowing their story.

3

The committee will judge the entries in the art competition.

How It's Used

General

"I can't judge a book by its cover."

Law

"The jury will judge the evidence presented."

Tip:Imagine weighing the facts in your mind on a scale to come to a conclusion.
3

To make a formal decision or ruling, especially in a court of law.

dʒʌdʒ

verbneutralmedium
Action

To make a formal decision or ruling in a court of law.

The jury judged the defendant guilty.

💡 Simply: This is when a real judge in a courtroom makes a final decision about a case. Like when they say, 'I sentence you to...' after hearing all the evidence.

👶 For kids: To judge also means to make a final decision in a court. The judge decides what happens.

More Examples

2

The court judged in favor of the plaintiff.

3

The judge will judge the case based on the law and the evidence.

How It's Used

Law

"The court will judge on the validity of the contract."

Tip:Picture the judge banging the gavel and announcing the verdict.

Idioms & expressions

judge and jury

A person who takes upon themselves the roles of deciding on the facts and then deciding on the guilt/innocence or the outcome.

"He acted as judge and jury, handing out punishments without a fair hearing."

to not judge a book by its cover

To not form an opinion of something or someone based solely on their outward appearance.

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover; her kindness surprised us all."

to sit in judgment of

To criticize or assess something.

"It's easy to sit in judgment of someone else's decisions, but it's hard to be in their position."

From Old French jugier, from Latin iūdicāre ('to judge, to decide').

The word 'judge' has been used in legal and moral contexts for centuries, dating back to Old French and Latin roots, evolving from a word of decision or discernment.

Memory tip

Think of a gavel and a courtroom. The judge is in charge of the decisions.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to judge, to decide"

judge (a) casejudge fairlyjudge harshlyjudge bytrial judgecircuit judgejudge in favor of

Common misspellings

judjejudgjuge

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written