subjective

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

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 \-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

A stridently subjective framing might invite us into a personal story at the risk of minimizing larger, continuing issues about prejudice and community.

— gayle clemans, The Seattle Times, "Review: Frye show strikes balance between family history, social commentary," 11 Aug. 2017
There is a subjective element to all of it that can't be ignored, that shouldn't be glossed over.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Colorado Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon, his beard, and his mullet visit DMan's World (videos)," 10 Aug. 2017
And the subjective nature of refereeing will still exist as head referees have the ability to reject the VAR's recommendations.

— patrick brennan, The Courier-Journal, "VAR is here: What you need to know," 5 Aug. 2017
Each chapter seeks to reveal the truth, instead of reveling in subjective messages.

— arthur aguilera, idahostatesman, "Idaho authors bring religion and politics to the table," 4 Aug. 2017
In a forthcoming paper Noam Gidron and Peter Hall reckon that right-wing political success is built on a decline in the subjective social status of white men.

— The Economist, "The power of populists," 20 July 2017
Our minds are so subjective that the idea of reality can be a squirrelly one.

— Philly.com, "Horoscopes: Wednesday, July 5, 2017," 5 July 2017
Diaries, like memoirs, are by their nature subjective.

— heller mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Theft By Finding' opens a window into David Sedaris's past through his diaries," 4 July 2017
Jaslee Caryola, a College Board spokeswoman, said the SAT is one of many factors that should be considered when making subjective admission decisions.

— elena mejia lutz, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana college joins growing list of schools no longer requiring SAT for admission," 2 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

subjective Synonyms

Synonyms

idiomatic, individualized, particular, patented, peculiar, personal, personalized, private, privy, separate, singular, individual, unique

Antonyms

general, generic, popular, public, shared, universal

Related Words

characteristic, distinctive, intimate; identifying, idiosyncratic; especial, express, special, specific; independent, nonconformist, self-directed, self-sufficient; custom, customized, specialized

Near Antonyms

broad, prevailing, prevalent, widespread; common, normal, regular, typical

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

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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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

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Medical Dictionary

subjective

medical Definition of subjective

subjectively

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