subjective
C1Formal and Academic
Definition
Meaning
Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, opinions, or interpretation rather than facts or evidence.
Relating to the thinking, perceiving subject, rather than to the object of consideration. In grammar, relating to the subject of a sentence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often contrasted with 'objective'. Describes judgments, experiences, opinions, or realities that exist only within the mind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Often carries a slightly negative connotation when implying a lack of objectivity or bias, especially in academic/professional contexts.
Frequency
High frequency in academic, philosophical, and critical discourse in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] subjective[be] subjective to [sb/sth]It is subjective [that-clause][Adj] and subjectiveVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Beauty is subjective.”
- “It's all subjective.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to critique decisions or performance reviews perceived as based on personal bias rather than measurable KPIs.
Academic
Central in philosophy, psychology, and arts criticism to denote knowledge/experience dependent on the individual mind.
Everyday
Commonly used in discussions about art, taste, or opinions to acknowledge personal perspective.
Technical
In medicine, refers to symptoms reported by the patient (subjective) vs. signs observed by the clinician (objective).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (The word 'subjective' is not a verb.)
American English
- (The word 'subjective' is not a verb.)
adverb
British English
- He tended to view the data rather subjectively.
- The report was subjectively analysed.
American English
- She subjectively interpreted the rules to her advantage.
- You're judging this subjectively, not objectively.
adjective
British English
- The reviewer's assessment was far too subjective to be taken seriously.
- Film criticism is, by its very nature, a subjective endeavour.
American English
- Her hiring decision seemed subjective and unfair.
- Taste in music is highly subjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like this colour, but it's subjective.
- Your opinion is subjective.
- Art is subjective, so everyone can have a different favourite painting.
- The manager's decision felt subjective and not based on facts.
- The scoring in the competition was criticised for being overly subjective.
- Her account of events was necessarily subjective, based on her own memories.
- The distinction between subjective experience and objective reality is a fundamental philosophical problem.
- The study aimed to quantify what had previously been considered purely subjective phenomena.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUBJECTive opinions come from the SUBJECT (the person).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/TRUTH IS AN OBJECT (objective vs. subjective implies truth is either an external object or an internal impression).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'sub'ektivnyj' meaning 'pertaining to a subject' in a purely grammatical or philosophical sense without the strong 'biased' connotation.
- The English 'subjective' more strongly implies 'lacking objectivity' than its Russian cognate.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'subjective' with 'objective'.
- Using 'subjectively' as an adjective (e.g., 'a subjectively view' instead of 'a subjective view').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'subjective' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most direct opposite is 'objective'. Objective means based on observable facts, unbiased, and not influenced by personal feelings.
No, 'subjective' is primarily an adjective. The related noun forms are 'subjectivity' (the quality of being subjective) and 'subjectivism' (the philosophical doctrine).
Not necessarily. In contexts like art appreciation, personal reflection, or describing individual experience, subjectivity is expected and valuable. It is problematic in contexts demanding impartiality, such as scientific analysis or fair judgement.
They are closely related. 'Subjective' describes a perspective inherently based on personal viewpoint. 'Biased' is stronger, implying a *prejudice* that unfairly favours one thing over another. All biased views are subjective, but not all subjective views are actively biased.
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Debate Vocabulary
B2 · 48 words · Language for constructing arguments and discussions.