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
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Just Mercy
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Americanized
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
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
Dahlia Lithwick: This is objectively good news in one sense, but also a chillingly close split in a case that should not be hard.
From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026
He acknowledged a privately controlled database of vehicle data is “an objectively pretty scary concept,” but noted Flock’s numerous guardrails and an audit system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
The proposed rule states that “plan fiduciaries would need to objectively, thoroughly, and analytically consider, and make determinations on factors including performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, performance benchmarks, and complexity,” the department said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
“Well, my brother’s an idiot,” I responded reasonably and, to my way of thinking, objectively.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
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.
