Definition

Noun: * The collective views, beliefs, or attitudes of the general population on a particular issue or topic. It represents the prevailing sentiment or judgment of the community or society as a whole.

Usage

• "Public opinion" is an uncountable noun. It is used to discuss the general mood or consensus of a populace.
• It is often analyzed in politics, media, and sociology to gauge societal trends or support for policies.
• Common collocations include:

Examples

• The government's new policy shifted public opinion on environmental regulations.
• Politicians are very sensitive to changes in public opinion.
• The scandal damaged the company's reputation in the court of public opinion.
• Public opinion on the issue remains deeply divided.

Advanced Usage

• "The court of public opinion": An idiom referring to the judgment of the general populace, as opposed to a legal court. It often implies trial by media or popular sentiment.
  • Although he was found not guilty in court, he was convicted in the court of public opinion.
• "To shape/sway public opinion": To influence or change what the general public thinks about something.
  • The campaign aimed to shape public opinion in favor of the new law.

Variants and Related Words

• Public sentiment (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "public opinion."
• Popular opinion (n): Emphasizes the opinion held by the majority of ordinary people.
• Consensus (n): General agreement among a group. While related, "consensus" focuses more on the agreement itself, whereas "public opinion" focuses on the collective view.

Synonyms

• Popular sentiment
• General opinion
• Collective view
• Prevailing view

Related Idioms

• "The voice of the people": A phrase synonymous with public opinion, emphasizing its democratic nature.
  • The election results were seen as the voice of the people.

Noun

1. a belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people
   • he asked for a poll of public opinion