objectively
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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
- quasi-objectively adverb
- semiobjectively adverb
- unobjectively adverb
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.
She’s objectively off-putting, which makes her bitingly human.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
However it's not an autobiographical account of his life so he was "able to create something more objectively dramatic".
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
"We are deploying resources, but there is objectively very little chance of finding this person," he said, citing strong currents and cold water.
From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026
Even though, objectively speaking, that smoothie looks like something I would not be able to keep down, it means something to them.
From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026
“There are objectively more rats in Manhattan!” he said defensively.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
