judge
gb/d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ/ us/d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Form an opinion or conclusion
To decide what you think about someone or something after looking at the facts.
Usage pattern:
to judge [someone/something] by [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'judge' with 'guess'; 'judge' involves more evidence and evaluation.
Synonyms
evaluate (More formal and implies a systematic assessment.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not consider or assess something.)
Collocations
judge fairly
|judge harshly
|judge by appearance
|judge wrongly
Themes
thinking
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You shouldn't judge people by their looks.
- The committee will judge each project on its originality.
- It's hard to judge how much time this will take.
- She tried not to judge him too quickly.
Learner examples
- Do not judge a book by its cover.
- We judge the game by the rules.
- He will judge the contest.
- I cannot judge without more facts.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Court official who decides cases
A person who controls a court and decides legal questions.
Synonyms
magistrate (A lower-level judicial officer, especially in certain legal systems.)
Antonyms
defendant (The person accused in a case, opposite role to a judge.)
Collocations
trial judge
|Supreme Court judge
|appoint a judge
Themes
law
|government
|politics
Examples
- The judge sentenced the criminal to five years in prison.
- Judges must remain impartial during trials.
- She was appointed as a federal judge last year.
Learner examples
- The judge works in the court.
- The judge listens to the lawyers.
- A judge makes the final decision.
- The judge is very fair.
Verb
A2
action
3
Decide results in competition
To choose the winner or give scores in a competition.
Usage pattern:
to judge [a competition/event]
Synonyms
referee (Usually for sports; may enforce rules rather than score quality.)
Antonyms
compete (To take part as a participant rather than deciding results.)
Collocations
judge a contest
|judge a show
|panel of judges
Themes
sports
|arts
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She was asked to judge the singing competition.
- Three experts will judge the cooking contest.
- He has judged several art exhibitions.
Learner examples
- I will judge the race.
- They judge the dance show.
- She judges the photo contest.
- Two people will judge the game.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Person deciding competition results
A person who gives scores or chooses the winner in a competition.
Synonyms
adjudicator (More formal and often used for official decisions beyond competitions.)
Antonyms
contestant (A participant competing rather than deciding results.)
Collocations
competition judge
|celebrity judge
Themes
sports
|arts
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The judges gave her a perfect score.
- He served as a judge for the talent show.
- Each entry was reviewed by five judges.
Learner examples
- The judges watch the race.
- She is a judge in the game.
- The judge gives the prize.
- The judges score the songs.
Grammar
Dictionary form
judge
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ/
US/d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
judge (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (judge)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: judge
- Plural: judges
Verb
- Base: judge
- 3rd Person Singular: judges
- Present Participle: judging
- Past: judged
Word family
Expressions
pass judgment (on) someone/something
1/pˈæs d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒmənt ˈɔn sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Give an often critical opinion
To say what you think about someone or something, often in a negative way.
Examples
- It's not fair to pass judgment without knowing all the facts.
- The critics were quick to pass judgment on the new play.
sit in judgment (on/over) someone
1/sˈɪt ˈɪn d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒmənt ənˌoʊvɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
formal
Act as a moral or legal judge
To be in a position to decide if someone did right or wrong, often formally or morally.
Examples
- He had no right to sit in judgment over her choices.
- Only the court can sit in judgment on such matters.
don't judge a book by its cover
1/dˈoʊnt d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ ə bˈʊk bˈaɪ ˈɪts kˈʌvɚ/
idiom
Don't decide by appearance only
Do not decide what something or someone is like just by how they look.
Examples
- He seems unfriendly, but don't judge a book by its cover.
- The hotel looked small, but it was beautiful inside—don't judge a book by its cover.
don't judge a book by its cover
2/dˈoʊnt d͡ʒˈʌd͡ʒ ə bˈʊk bˈaɪ ˈɪts kˈʌvɚ/
idiom
Don't judge by looks alone
Don't decide what something is like only from how it looks outside.
Examples
- She seems quiet, but don't judge a book by its cover.
- The restaurant looks small, but don't judge a book by its cover.