objectify
C1Formal, Academic, Critical/Social Discourse
Definition
Meaning
To treat a person, or sometimes an abstract idea, as a mere object, disregarding their personal qualities, autonomy, or humanity.
In a more general or philosophical sense, to make something abstract (like a concept or emotion) concrete, tangible, or external. In feminist and critical theory, it specifically denotes the reduction of a person (often a woman) to a body or physical attributes for use or gratification.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries a strong negative connotation when applied to people, implying dehumanization and a lack of respect. The philosophical sense is more neutral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The primary difference lies in pronunciation (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical; the critical and feminist usage is dominant in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic and media discourse due to prominence of related social debates, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + objectify + Object (person/idea)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To treat someone as a piece of meat”
- “To be reduced to an object”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used critically in HR contexts about workplace culture ('policies against objectifying colleagues').
Academic
Common in sociology, philosophy, gender studies, and media criticism to analyze representation and power dynamics.
Everyday
Used in discussions about media, advertising, relationships, and sexism ('That advert really objectifies women').
Technical
In philosophy, refers to the act of treating an abstraction as if it were a concrete object.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The article argues that mainstream film often objectifies the female form.
- He objected to the way the debate objectified complex social issues.
American English
- Critics say the video game unnecessarily objectifies its characters.
- The study examines how advertisements objectify the male body.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some adverts can objectify people, which is not respectful.
- The film was criticized for the way it seemed to objectify its lead actress, focusing only on her appearance.
- Philosophers sometimes objectify concepts like 'justice' to make them easier to discuss.
- Feminist theory provides a robust framework for analysing how patriarchal systems systematically objectify women, stripping them of agency.
- The artist's work seeks to objectify the ephemeral nature of memory, giving it physical form in her installations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an OBJECT being made of 'I-FY' (I, representing a person). To OBJECTIFY is to turn a person (I) into just an object.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE OBJECTS / ABSTRACTIONS ARE PHYSICAL THINGS
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'объективировать' (which is closer to 'to make objective' or 'to objectivize' in a neutral, scientific sense).
- The Russian verb 'объектифицировать' is a direct loan translation but is highly specialized and rare. The common translation is a descriptive phrase: 'относиться как к объекту' or 'обесчеловечивать'.
- The critical negative meaning is often best conveyed by 'рассматривать/воспринимать как вещь'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simply 'to object' or 'to disagree' (confusion with the verb 'object').
- Using it in a positive sense (e.g., 'The artist objectified her emotions beautifully' is technically possible in the philosophical sense but is very rare and easily misunderstood).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'objectify' MOST appropriate and common?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very rarely. Its primary use is negative, relating to the dehumanization of people. In specialized philosophical discourse, it can neutrally mean 'to make an abstract concept concrete', but this is uncommon in everyday language and risks misunderstanding.
'Object' (verb: /əbˈdʒekt/) means to express disapproval or disagreement. 'Objectify' (/əbˈdʒek.tɪ.faɪ/) is unrelated and means to treat as an object. They are different words with different pronunciations and meanings.
Yes, 'objectification' (e.g., 'the objectification of women in cinema').
Yes. While the term is most frequently applied to the treatment of women, the concept applies to any person being reduced to their physical attributes or instrumental value, regardless of gender.