subjective
What does "subjective" mean?
Subjective describes things that are based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than on objective, verifiable facts. Imagine looking through a pair of tinted glasses; the world changes color based on the individual filter you are wearing, meaning your view is unique to you and not necessarily shared by everyone else. In conversation and academic writing, this word is used to distinguish personal perspective from cold, hard evidence. It is often used to critique arguments that rely too heavily on emotion, or to acknowledge that a preference—like saying a movie is "good"—is a matter of individual taste rather than universal truth.
"subjective" in conversation
Debating a movie
I thought the ending was brilliant and poetic.
I thought the ending was brilliant and poetic.
Really? It felt disjointed to me.
Really? It felt disjointed to me.
Well, art is entirely subjective, I suppose.
Well, art is entirely subjective, I suppose.
Using the word to gracefully end a disagreement about personal taste.
Evaluating a project
We need to base these decisions on data, not feelings.
We need to base these decisions on data, not feelings.
Understood. I'll make sure the report isn't subjective.
Understood. I'll make sure the report isn't subjective.
Used in a professional context to prioritize objective data.
"subjective" in a sentence
Beauty is subjective.
Beauty is subjective.
The critic gave a subjective review of the performance.
The critic gave a subjective review of the performance.
We must strive to eliminate subjective bias when analyzing the experimental results.
We must strive to eliminate subjective bias when analyzing the experimental results.
