subjectivity
Americannoun
plural
subjectivities-
the state or quality of being subjective; subjectiveness.
-
a subjective thought or idea.
-
intentness on internal thoughts.
-
internal reality.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subjectivity
First recorded in 1805–15; subjective + -ity; probably modeled on German Subjectivität
Explanation
Subjectivity refers to how someone’s judgment is shaped by personal opinions and feelings instead of outside influences. Subjectivity is partially responsible for why one person loves an abstract painting while another person hates it. Since a subject is a person, subjectivity refers to how a person's own uniqueness influences their perceptions. For example, if you have six sisters, that might influence how you view women or families — it's part of your subjectivity. Subjectivity is a form of bias and also individuality. Subjectivity is the opposite of objectivity, which is based purely on the facts and isn't personal. We expect judges to put aside their subjectivity and make decisions based on objectivity.
Vocabulary lists containing subjectivity
Media Literacy - High School
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!
Reading: Informational - High School
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!
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.
But with clear and obvious guidelines, VAR tries to leave anything with some subjectivity on the field - as was the case with both these two goals.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
“Kalshi is replacing debate, subjectivity, and talk with markets, accuracy, and truth,” Chief Executive Tarek Mansour said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025
This is a subjectivity shaped by fear, seduced by obedience, and ultimately stripped of the capacity to recognize—or reject—the very forces that dominate it.
From Salon • Apr. 16, 2025
While both of those crimes are terrible and certainly deserving of harsh punishment, they also highlight the subjectivity of the “exceedingly rare” standard he’s using.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025
Vitruvius described something like perspective painting, but the Renaissance invented a new combination of subjectivity and objectivity, the situated viewer and the vanishing point.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
