comment
Americannoun
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a remark, observation, or criticism.
a comment about the weather.
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His frequent absences gave rise to comment.
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a criticism or interpretation, often by implication or suggestion.
The play is a comment on modern society.
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Digital Technology. a user response to published content on the internet, written in a designated “Comments” section, often below the published content.
There were many online comments criticizing the author.
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a note in explanation, expansion, or criticism of a passage in a book, article, or the like; annotation.
- Synonyms:
- commentary, addendum
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explanatory or critical matter added to a text.
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Also called rheme. Linguistics. the part of a sentence that communicates new information about the topic.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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a remark, criticism, or observation
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talk or gossip
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a note explaining or criticizing a passage in a text
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explanatory or critical matter added to a text
verb
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to remark or express an opinion
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(intr) to write notes explaining or criticizing a text
Usage
What is a basic definition of comment? A comment is a remark or observation that expresses a person’s observation or criticism. To comment is to make such a remark. A comment is also a reply from a user to published material on the internet. Comment has several other senses as a noun and a verb. When people make comments, they are giving their opinion or perspective on something in the form of an observation or criticism. Comments are usually short statements. The word commentary is used for longer criticism or a group of comments. A person who offers a comment is a commenter.
- Real-life examples: Managers often want (or pretend to want) comments from their staff when looking for feedback about something. When people chat, they often share comments about many topics, such as sports, the weather, or politics. A backseat driver delivers unwanted comments about another person’s driving abilities.
- Used in a sentence: The contractor listened to the owner’s comments about what the new house should look like.
- Used in a sentence: The company didn’t want to comment on the scandal.
- Real-life examples: News websites and YouTube videos allow users to post comments. Most websites will ban or suspend users who post especially profane or offensive comments.
- Used in a sentence: The video resulted in a lot of supportive comments from fans.
Synonym Usage
See remark.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have commentedperfect
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has commentedperfect 3rd person singular
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is commentingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are commentingprogressive
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has been commentingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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commentssingular 3rd person
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commentingparticiple
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have been commentingperfect progressive
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am commentingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had commentedperfect
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were commentingprogressive plural
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had been commentingperfect progressive
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was commentingprogressive singular
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commentedsimple
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commentedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of comment
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English com(m)ent “explanatory note, comment,” from Old French comment “commentary,” from Late Latin commentum “interpretation, comment,” from Latin: “device, fabrication, falsehood,” noun use of neuter of commentus “contrived,” past participle of comminīscī “to contrive, devise”; cf. com- ( def. ), mental 1 ( def. )
Explanation
To comment is to state your opinion or make a remark on something. Of course, it's good to know when to hold your tongue. Comment on the latest movie? No problem. Comment on the annoying airport security measures while having your baggage checked? Better not. A written explanation or criticism is a comment. Your teacher's comments on your paper may thrill you when you do excellent work or unnerve you when you receive the message, "See me!" If you state your opinion, this is also a comment. Politicians talking to the press are fond of the statement, "No comment," which means they don't want to express an opinion — or more likely, they don't want to get in trouble.
Vocabulary lists containing comment
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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"Made You Laugh"
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The Titan's Curse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gulfstream didn’t respond to a request for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
The Iranian football federation is yet to publicly comment on the visa approvals.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
The White House and Anthropic didn’t respond to Barron’s requests for comment.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
The lawsuit, which could be filed as early as this month, would likely involve multiple states, according to a source familiar with the deliberations who was not authorized to comment publicly.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
At Tillie’s comment, a fork clatters onto the table and then the floor.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
