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.
-
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.
“He is objectively great to look at, right? You can’t deny it,” said Lauren McEvatt, a former Conservative special adviser to the government.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"Most of us don't hear these sounds. However, a few people can actually hear the sounds that the ear itself produces. And these sounds can be measured objectively," Drexl said.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
I guess if Letterboxd decides to sell to a media company and becomes objectively worse, disappointed users can migrate to A24’s physical, paper-bound film logs.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
Schlossberg characterized himself and his campaign as “women-run and women-owned,” which objectively does not make sense but does inspire a kind of “OK, I guess” resignation toward light stupidity.
From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026
If I had, I might be able to report them more objectively.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
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.
