subjective

[ suhb-jek-tiv ]

adjective

1. existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought ( objective ).

   Synonyms: mental

2. pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual:

   a subjective evaluation.

3. placing excessive emphasis on one's own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc.; unduly egocentric.
4. Philosophy. relating to or of the nature of an object as it is known in the mind as distinct from a thing in itself.
5. relating to properties or specific conditions of the mind as distinguished from general or universal experience.
6. pertaining to the subject or substance in which attributes inhere; essential.

   Synonyms: inherent, substantial

7. Grammar.
   1. pertaining to or constituting the subject of a sentence.
   2. (in English and certain other languages) noting a case specialized for that use, as He in He hit the ball.
   3. similar to such a case in meaning. Compare nominative.
8. Obsolete. characteristic of a political subject; submissive.

subjective

/ səbˈdʒɛktɪv /

adjective

1. belonging to, proceeding from, or relating to the mind of the thinking subject and not the nature of the object being considered
2. of, relating to, or emanating from a person's emotions, prejudices, etc

   subjective views

3. relating to the inherent nature of a person or thing; essential
4. existing only as perceived and not as a thing in itself
5. med (of a symptom, condition, etc) experienced only by the patient and incapable of being recognized or studied by anyone else
6. grammar denoting a case of nouns and pronouns, esp in languages having only two cases, that identifies the subject of a finite verb and (in formal use in English) is selected for predicate complements, as in It is I See also nominative

noun

1. grammar
   1. the subjective case
   2. a subjective word or speech element

Derived Forms

• subˈjectively, adverb
• ˌsubjecˈtivity, noun

Other Words From

• sub·jec·tive·ly adverb
• sub·jec·tive·ness noun
• non·sub·jec·tive adjective
• non·sub·jec·tive·ness noun
• qua·si-sub·jec·tive adjective
• un·sub·jec·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subjective¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “submissive to a ruler,” from Latin subjectīvus; subject, -ive

Example Sentences

People were tired and really didn’t know what to make of a movie that shifts between the points of view of the two main characters and has a subjective, impressionistic mode of storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

That is to say: you can explain in incredible detail what it’s like for you, you can use metaphors to help me imagine my way into your experience, but the experience itself remains ultimately subjective.

From Salon

A majority also referred to emotions being subjective experiences or related to consciousness or mindedness.

From Science Daily

This is not ideal, Bakas said, because the assessment is often subjective.

From Science Daily

The majority of residents noted a subjective improvement in their communication and observational skills as well as an increase in their empathy skills.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• abstract
• biased
• idiosyncratic
• illusory
• instinctive
• intuitive
• personal