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

After being enraged by their disallowed goal at Manchester City before the international break, Liverpool got stung again by the confusing subjective offside law.

Read more on BBC

But if your time and/or attention is limited, here is a highly subjective ranking:

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Defenders of the tests say they offer a more objective method of assessment than the potentially anecdotal and subjective evidence of social workers and other experts.

Read more on BBC

Its decision is subjective, unlike for other index providers, which are more mechanical in nature, based on market value.

Read more on Barron's

It shows the highly subjective nature of the decision, which referees' chief Howard Webb described as "not unreasonable".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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