verdict

Everyday

1. The decision of a jury or judge in a court case, such as «guilty» or «not guilty». tree →
2. (informal) An opinion or judgement after trying something: «What's your verdict on the pizza?» tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news: the jury reads out the verdict. In everyday life: giving your verdict on a film or food. Phrases: «reach a verdict», «a guilty verdict», «the verdict is in».

Examples

• The jury gave a verdict of not guilty. tree →
• After the taste test, our verdict was that the cheap cola was just as good. tree →
• Everyone waited for the judge's verdict. tree →
• So, what's the verdict on my new haircut? tree →
• The verdict was reached after two days. tree →
• The class verdict: the book was brilliant. tree →
• The judge listened quietly and asked a few questions; then he gave his verdict. tree →

Note

Countable: a verdict. Juries «reach» or «return» a verdict. A «sentence» (punishment) comes after a guilty verdict; they are not the same.