objectively
Americanadverb
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in a way that is not influenced by personal feelings or prejudices.
An outsider can consider the dispute more objectively than people who are directly involved.
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in a way that can be known, measured, or proven.
A new method is being developed to objectively analyze how climate change is affecting ocean surface temperatures.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of objectively
First recorded in 1590–1600, for an earlier sense; objective ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
When you do something objectively, you do it with an open mind, considering the facts rather than your personal feelings. A spelling bee judge has to make decisions objectively. Being able to think objectively is important for many jobs — teachers shouldn't favor certain students, but ought to act objectively, and of course lawyers and judges are expected to think objectively. Chess players and historians are more successful if they think objectively as well. The adverb comes from its related adjective, objective, by way of the Medieval Latin objectum, "thing presented to the mind," combining ob-, "in the way of" with jacere, "to throw."
Vocabulary lists containing objectively
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 61-70
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Just Mercy
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Americanized
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Objectively speaking, there is hardly any possibility from the US of relinquishing weapons systems of this kind."
From Barron's • May 3, 2026
Objectively, Russo's record in the main forward role is excellent.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
Objectively, life’s never been better than in 2023, and yet we don’t feel entitled to look ahead with optimism.
From Slate • Aug. 19, 2023
"Objectively, yes, it is good in that it's melted cheese on bread, but let's not pretend that this is something it isn't."
From Salon • Sep. 27, 2022
Objectively speaking, these devotions find their justification in the dogma of the Communion of Saints, according to which we believe that the blessed in heaven are able and disposed to help the unfortunate here below.
From Explanation of Catholic Morals A Concise, Reasoned, and Popular Exposition of Catholic Morals by Stapleton, John H. (John Henry)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
