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sub·jec·tive | \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv 
\
\Definition of subjective
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : of, relating to, or constituting a subject: such as
a obsolete : of, relating to, or characteristic of one that is a subject especially in lack of freedom of action or in submissiveness
2 : of or relating to the essential being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes, or relations
3a : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind : phenomenal — compare objective sense 2a
b : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
b : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly caused by external stimuli subjective sensations
c : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes
a subjective symptom of disease — compare objective sense 2c
5 : lacking in reality or substance : illusory
subjective
nounsub·jec·tive | \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv \
\Definition of subjective (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that is subjective also : nominative
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Synonyms & Antonyms for subjective
Synonyms: Adjective
- idiomatic,
- individual,
- individualized,
- particular,
- patented,
- peculiar,
- personal,
- personalized,
- private,
- privy,
- separate,
- singular,
- unique
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of subjective in a Sentence
Adjective Art is never a commodity. Commodities are identical units of sure value—bushels of wheat, say—whose price fluctuates from time to time and place to place. Art works are one-of-a-kind … items, materially worthless, which have in common that a price is asked for them. Their value is entirely subjective. — Peter Schjedlahl, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2009 Our perception of loudness is subjective, but sound has an intensity, independent of our hearing, that is measured in decibels (dB). — Jennifer Barone, Discover, July/August 2009 Science is the study of facts—things that are measurable, testable, repeatable, verifiable. I won't bore you with the inevitable discussion of objective reality and how it's ultimately unknowable because we filter it through our individual subjective realities, I'll cut directly to the chase. Science is about the stuff we can agree on. Rocks are hard, water is wet. — David Gerrold, Fantasy & Science Fiction, September 2005 Besides, I am not doing this for the anthropology. My aim is nothing so mistily subjective as to "experience poverty" or find out how it "really feels" to be a long-term low-wage worker. — Barbara Ehrenreich, Harper's, January 1999
Dreaming is a subjective experience.
a person's subjective perception of the world
Personal taste in clothing is very subjective.
In reviewing applicants, we consider both objective criteria, such as test scores, and subjective criteria, such as leadership ability.
Law can be maddeningly subjective. So much is left up to your own interpretation.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Today’s daily digit A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of zero to 10.
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Matt Rogers, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Colder and breezy into New Year’s holiday with rain returning Thursday night," 31 Dec. 2019 As if beyond the voice narrating each of the stories there were something subjective, something blurry, hovering over it all, creating an effect.
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Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, "Emilio Fraia on Stories Within Stories," 9 Dec. 2019 Red carpet fashions are always subjective, but some in our opinion just don’t work.
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Jane Tyska, The Mercury News, "Photos: 71st Emmys red carpet worst dressed," 22 Sep. 2019 What this fascinating book reaffirms is that people’s assessments of others are extremely subjective, and easily led astray by appearances.
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The Economist, "The eyes have it," 12 Sep. 2019 The selection process is subjective, opaque and veers from the traditional entry system.
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Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: In Appreciation of the Serena/Murray Doubles Team at Wimbledon," 10 July 2019 Today’s daily digit A somewhat subjective rating of the day’s weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.
5/10: Enjoy the sun, embrace the chill.
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David Streit, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Today is the coldest of the season so far, starting with bitter wind chills. But not as cold this weekend.," 19 Dec. 2019 In the beginning, their hideousness was subjective; they were based on traditional, often elaborate Nordic and Fair Isle patterns.
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Teen Vogue, "Why Ugly Christmas Sweaters Aren't Very Sustainable," 16 Dec. 2019 All criticism is subjective, of course, and my list of the best shows of the last 10 years surely reflects the dearth of consensus picks.
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Judy Berman, Time, "The 10 Best TV Shows of the 2010s," 15 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subjective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for subjective
subjective
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of subjective
philosophy : relating to the way a person experiences things in his or her own mind
: based on feelings or opinions rather than facts
grammar : relating to nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns that are the subjects of verbs
See the full definition for subjective in the English Language Learners Dictionary
subjective
adjectivesub·jec·tive | \ səb-ˈjek-tiv \
\Kids Definition of subjective
: based mainly on opinions or feelings rather than on facts
a subjective report
subjective
adjectivesub·jec·tive | \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv \
\Medical Definition of subjective
1a : relating to or determined by the mind as the subject of experience
subjective reality
b : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind
c : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
2a : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly caused by external stimuli
subjective sensations
b : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes and not observable by an examiner
a subjective symptom of disease caused objective or subjective clinical improvement or both — Journal of the American Medical Association — compare objective sense 2
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Time Traveler for subjective
The first known use of subjective was in the 15th century
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