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.

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

Other Word Forms

• subjectively adverb
• subjectiveness noun
• nonsubjective adjective
• nonsubjectiveness noun
• quasi-subjective adjective
• unsubjective adjective
• subjectivity noun

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

It’s just that those troubling qualities are inherently subjective.

From Salon

The film's director and screenwriter "seem convinced this is all very provocative, very new with its hard questions and subjective truths," noted the Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney.

From BBC

Having said that, if we're talking about aesthetics, that is by definition a subjective concept, and bias doesn't really apply.

From BBC

That, too, is not subjective opinion but objective fact because, after an unbeaten run through Leagues Cup group play, the Galaxy are one of just four MLS teams to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, The Envelope presents its own, deeply subjective awards honoring the greatest moments in television during the 2024-25 season — at least those that won’t get their proper recognition at the big show.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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