comment

noun

/ˈkɒment/

/ˈkɑːment/

Idioms

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[countable, uncountable] something that you say or write that gives an opinion on or explains somebody/something
- comment on something She made helpful comments on my work.
- thoughtful/interesting/insightful comments
- snide/critical/derogatory comments
- comment about something Have you any comment to make about the cause of the disaster?
- without comment He handed me the document without comment.
- The director was not available for comment.
- You have to register to post a comment.
- Please leave a comment on our website.
- Keep up to date with all the latest news and comment.
- You can post a question in the comments section below.
- (especially British English) What she said was fair comment (= a reasonable critcism).
Synonyms statement
statement
- comment
- announcement
- remark
- declaration
- observation
These are all words for something that you say or write, especially something that gives information or an opinion.
- statement something that you say or write that gives information or an opinion, often in a formal way:
  A government spokesperson made a statement to the press.
- comment something that you say or write that gives an opinion on something or is a response to a question about a particular situation:
  She made helpful comments on my work.
- announcement a spoken or written statement that informs people about something:
  the announcement of a peace agreement
- remark something that you say or write that gives an opinion or thought about somebody/something:
  He made a number of rude remarks about the food.
- declaration (rather formal) an official or formal statement, especially one that states an intention, belief or feeling, or that gives information:
  the declaration of war
- observation (rather formal) a comment, especially one based on something you have seen, heard or read:
  He began by making a few general observations about the report.
comment, remark or observation?A comment can be official or private. A remark can be made in public or private but is always unofficial and the speaker may not have considered it carefully. An observation is unofficial but is usually more considered than a remark.Patterns
- a(n) statement/comment/announcement/remark/declaration/observation about something
- a(n) statement/comment/observation on something
- a(n) public/official statement/comment/announcement/declaration
- to make a(n) statement/comment/announcement/remark/declaration/observation
- to issue a(n) statement/announcement/declaration
Extra Examples
- Editorial comment in the press tended to support the government in this matter.
- Feel free to post your comments if you have any.
- He made a few casual comments to her about her hair and now she's chopped it all off!
- Her novels were a vehicle for shrewd social comment.
- Highly critical comments have been made about the conduct of some ministers.
- I would prefer not to pass comment before I have more information on the case.
- If you have any comments, please send them to the above address.
- KPJ officials declined comment.
- She accepted his diagnosis without comment.
- She directed all her comments at Steve.
- She made a cryptic comment about how the film mirrored her life.
- The minister was unavailable for comment last night.
- The school has invited comments from parents about the new curriculum.
- The spokesman was not available for comment last night.
- This idea deserves more than passing comment.
- Viewers are encouraged to phone in questions and comments.
- We have received many helpful comments from fellow-sufferers.
- We welcome comments from readers.
- a general comment on the weather
Topics Opinion and argumenta2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- brief
- fair
- favourable/favorable
- …
verb + comment
- have
- make
- pass
- …
preposition
- without comment
- comment about
- comment on
- …
phrases
- be available for comment
- be unavailable for comment
- no comment
- …
See full entry
[singular, uncountable] criticism that shows the faults of something
- The results are a clear comment on government education policy.
- There was a lot of comment about his behaviour.
Extra Examples
- a book with critical comment on the various strands of feminism
- The article attracted much adverse comment.
- His visits were the source of much comment.
- The attack is a sad comment on the public's understanding of mental illness.

Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘explanatory piece of writing’): from Latin commentum ‘contrivance’ (in late Latin also ‘interpretation’), neuter past participle of comminisci ‘devise’.

Idioms

no comment

(said in reply to a question, usually from a journalist) I have nothing to say about that
- ‘Will you resign, sir?’ ‘No comment!’
- When asked about the allegations, the chairman replied ‘no comment’.

comment

verb

/ˈkɒment/

/ˈkɑːment/

[intransitive, transitive]

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they comment	/ˈkɒment/ /ˈkɑːment/
he / she / it comments	/ˈkɒments/ /ˈkɑːments/
past simple commented	/ˈkɒmentɪd/ /ˈkɑːmentɪd/
past participle commented	/ˈkɒmentɪd/ /ˈkɑːmentɪd/
-ing form commenting	/ˈkɒmentɪŋ/ /ˈkɑːmentɪŋ/

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to express an opinion about something
- He refused to comment until after the trial.
- She said she was unable to comment further.
- comment on/upon something to comment on a case/report
- I don't feel I can comment on their decision.
- We were just commenting on how well you look.
- He said nothing when asked to comment on the allegations.
- comment about something She declined to comment about the current situation in the party.
- comment (to somebody) that… A spokesperson commented that levels of carbon dioxide were very high.
- comment (to somebody) + speech ‘Not his best performance,’ she commented to the woman sitting next to her.
Synonyms comment
comment
- note
- remark
- observe
These words all mean to say or write a fact or opinion.
- comment to express an opinion or give facts about something:
  He refused to comment until after the trial.
- note (rather formal) to mention something because it is important or interesting:
  He noted in passing that the company’s record on safety issues was not good.
- remark to say or write what you have noticed about a situation:
  Critics remarked that the play was not original.
- observe (formal) to say or write what you have noticed about a situation:
  She observed that it was getting late.
comment, remark or observe?If you comment on something you say something about it; if you remark on something or observe something, you say something about it that you have noticed: there is often not much difference between the three. However, while you can refuse to comment (without on), you cannot ‘refuse to remark’ or ‘refuse to observe’ (without on): He refused to remark/observe until after the trial. Patterns
- to comment/note/remark/observe that…
- to comment on/note/remark/observe how…
- to comment/remark on something
- to comment/remark/observe to somebody
- ‘It’s long,’ he commented/noted/remarked/observed.
Extra Examples
- He commented favourably on the proposals.
- He refused to comment on the proposals.
- People were commenting about her abilities.
- She commented to me that she liked it.
Topics Opinion and argumentb1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- favourably/favorably
- adversely
- critically
- …
verb + comment
- decline to
- refuse to
preposition
- about
- on
- to
- …
See full entry
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘explanatory piece of writing’): from Latin commentum ‘contrivance’ (in late Latin also ‘interpretation’), neuter past participle of comminisci ‘devise’.