Agency Dictionary
Objective
adjectivePronunciation: /əbˈdʒɛk.tɪv/
In Portuguese: Objetivo
Philosophy & EthicsWhat does “Objective” mean?
Based on factual evidence and observable reality rather than personal feelings, biases, or interpretations.
Etymology
From Middle French objectif, from Medieval Latin obiectivus (pertaining to an object of thought), from objectum, the past participle of obicere (to place before, to throw against), formed from ob- (against, toward) and jacere (to throw). The philosophical sense of pertaining to external reality, independent of any observer, developed in scholastic Latin and was transferred to French and then to English.
Usage note
The adjective is often used in contrast with subjective. In journalism and science it implies verifiable standards; in everyday speech it can mean simply fair or without obvious bias.
Synonyms
- impartial
- unbiased
- neutral
- detached
- factual
Often confused with
- subjective
- Objective describes what exists or is assessed independently of personal perspective; subjective describes what depends on the perspective, feelings, or values of the observer.
Word family
- object
- objectify
- objectivity
- objectively
- objectification
Rhymes with
- collective
- selective
- effective
- reflective
- detective
Usage examples
There are no introductions today, the truth is usually objective.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
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- Treatisenoun
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- Maximnoun
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- rhetoricnoun
- The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.
- Tangibleadjective
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- Holisticadjective
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- Abyssnoun
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- aestheticsnoun
- A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, artistic taste, and style.
- Affectnoun
- An expressed or experienced emotion, feeling, or visceral response to a stimulus in psychology and philosophy.
- Agapenoun
- A selfless, unconditional, and altruistic form of love often associated in theology with divine charity.
- Ambiguitynoun
- The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or uncertainty of meaning.
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- Fraternitynoun
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