subjective

adjective sub·jec·tive \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of subjective

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

b : being or relating to a grammatical subject; especially : nominative

2 : of or relating to the essential being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes, or relations

3 a : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind : phenomenal — compare objective 1b

b : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states

4 a (1) : peculiar to a particular individual : personal

subjective judgments

(2) : modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background

a subjective account of the incident

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 1c

5 : lacking in reality or substance : illusory

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subjectively

adverb

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subjectiveness

noun

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subjectivity

play \(ˌ)səb-ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

See subjective defined for English-language learners

See subjective defined for kids

Examples of subjective in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of subjective from the Web

For consciousness, the problem is the jump from the material to the subjective—for example, from firing neurons to the experience of pain or the color red.

— marcelo gleiser, Scientific American, "How Much Can We Know?," 8 May 2018
Indeed, economists often work on the basis that tangible costs and benefits outweigh subjective values.

— The Economist, "Economists focus too little on what people really care about," 3 May 2018
Just like there is not universal agreement on which quarterback is best, medical decisions are often subjective as well.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top 10 medical concerns in NFL draft," 26 Apr. 2018
At its base, selfie culture is a society that creates identity through digital, subjective reflections — but, what does this mean for photography as an artistic medium?

— kt hawbaker, chicagotribune.com, "Talkin’ bodies at Chicago Artists Coalition; Mev Luna is available to take your call at 062 Gallery," 25 Apr. 2018
And what is pretty anyway but an arbitrary, outmoded, subjective standard used to make women feel bad?

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "Amy Schumer's 'I Feel Pretty': Not oh so witty or wise," 18 Apr. 2018
Previously, there was a tendency by some courts to look at the individual facts of an alien’s criminal record, which created for subjective assessments.

— guillermo contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "U.S. Supreme Court limits deportations of immigrants convicted of some crimes," 17 Apr. 2018
This second flavor leaves plenty of room for subjective evaluation of the failure in question.

— elisa gabbert, New York Times, "What Separates Ordinary Bad News From True ‘Disaster’?," 10 Apr. 2018
Fresno County argued that basing starting salaries primarily on previous pay was one of those other factors and prevented subjective determinations of a new employee's value.

— CBS News, "Women can’t be paid less than men based on previous job salary, appeals court rules," 9 Apr. 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of subjective

see ¹subject

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

subjective Synonyms

subjective

noun sub·jec·tive \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv \

Definition of subjective

: something that is subjective; also : nominative

Origin and Etymology of subjective

see ¹subject

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1817

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

SUBJECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

subjective

adjective

Definition of subjective for English Language Learners

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

SUBJECTIVE Defined for Kids

subjective

adjective sub·jec·tive \ səb-ˈjek-tiv \

Definition of subjective for Students

: based mainly on opinions or feelings rather than on facts

a subjective report

Medical Dictionary

subjective

adjective sub·jec·tive \ (ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv \

medical Definition of subjective

1 a : 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

2 a : 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 2

—

subjectively

adverb

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Definition of subjective

subjectively

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Examples of subjective in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of subjective

subjective Synonyms

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subjective

Definition of subjective

Origin and Etymology of subjective

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SUBJECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

subjective

Definition of subjective for English Language Learners

SUBJECTIVE Defined for Kids

subjective

Definition of subjective for Students

Medical Dictionary

subjective

medical Definition of subjective

subjectively

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