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judge

JUJ/d͡ʒʌd͡ʒ/

Pluraljudges

Verbjudges, judging, judged

13 meanings of judge

Practice

  1. 1
    court officialnouncountable
    A government official who runs court cases and decides how the law applies.

    Like a referee in a game, but for the law in a courtroom.

    The judge sentenced him to five years in prison.

    A judge listens to both sides before making a decision.

    Similarjustice, magistrate

    Note
  2. 2
    rateverbtransitive
    To look at something or someone and decide what you think about them.

    Like weighing something to see how heavy it is, but for ideas.

    Don't judge a book by its cover.

    The teacher judged each essay on clarity and originality.

    UsageSay judge it on comfort or by its looks.

    Similarassess, evaluate, appraise, gauge

  3. 3
    in a contestnouncountable
    A person who controls a game or contest and decides the result.

    Like a teacher who decides who wins a school race.

    The judge gave the gymnast a perfect score.

    Three judges scored each performance in the talent show.

    Similarreferee, umpire, adjudicator

  4. 4
    think badly ofverbtransitive or intransitive
    To say bad things about someone or decide they are wrong, often unfairly.

    Like pointing a finger at someone and saying they did wrong.

    Please don't judge me for my choices.

    People judged her unfairly because of how she dressed.

    UsagePeople say don't judge me.

    Similarcriticize, condemn

    Note
  5. 5
    reckonverbtransitive or intransitive
    To decide that something is true after thinking about what you know.

    Like guessing the time from how high the sun is in the sky.

    Looking at the map, I judged the trip would take two hours.

    As far as I can judge, the plan will work.

    UsageSay judging by the silence, or as far as I can judge.

    Similartell, gauge, estimate, reckon, conclude

    Note
  6. 6
    one who evaluatesnouncountable
    A person who looks at something carefully and gives an opinion about it.

    Like someone who tastes food and says if it's good or bad.

    She's a good judge of character.

    I'm no judge of art, but I like this painting.

    UsageSay a good judge of people.

    Similarcritic, assessor, evaluator, connoisseur

  7. 7
    final saynouncountable
    A person who has the power to decide what happens to someone or something.

    Like the person who decides whether a team wins or loses.

    When my brothers fight over toys, Mom is the judge who decides.

    The two brothers asked their mother to act as judge in their fight over the car.

    Similararbiter

  8. 8
    try a caseverbtransitive
    To decide a case in court or settle an argument as a judge.

    Like a teacher deciding who broke the rule and what should happen.

    The court will judge the case next month.

    A panel judged the appeal and reversed the verdict.

    Similartry, hear, adjudicate, decide

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of judge apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 3, 6–7, 9

This comes from Old French 'juge', which came from the Latin word 'iūdex'. It replaced the older English word 'deme'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 2, 4–5, 8, 10–13

This comes from Old French 'jugier', which came from the Latin word 'iūdicāre'. It partly replaced the older English word 'deem'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts