subjective

American  

[suhb-jek-tiv] / səbˈdʒɛk tɪv /

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.

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subjective British  

/ 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

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noun

1. grammar

   1. the subjective case

   2. a subjective word or speech element

Other Word Forms

• nonsubjective adjective
• nonsubjectiveness noun
• quasi-subjective adjective
• subjectively adverb
• subjectiveness noun
• subjectivity noun
• unsubjective adjective

Etymology

Origin of subjective

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “submissive to a ruler,” from Latin subjectīvus; subject, -ive

Example Sentences

Yet despite enormous advances in neuroscience, the mechanism by which the brain generates subjective experience remains unknown.

From The Wall Street Journal

The defence for Tomé argues that "none of the subjective or objective elements" of crimes are "minimally" demonstrated in the indictment.

From BBC

The union does not want raises that depend on potentially subjective future contingencies, asserting that the district can commit to more now.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the book’s most profound revelation is the degree to which the story of Motown is the story of competing memories and subjective accounts.

From The Wall Street Journal

The production works best when the play’s expressionistic flourishes invite theatergoers to consider more deeply the subjective experiences and societal subtexts that are being externalized.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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