The objective meaning changes with the job the word does: as a noun, an objective is a goal you are trying to reach, and as an adjective, objective means fair and based on facts rather than personal feelings. "Our objective is to cut costs" and "Try to give an objective review" use the two senses.
Both meanings appear all the time in business plans, school exams, science and journalism. Once you can tell which one is in play, the word becomes easy to read and to use yourself.
Entry at a glance
Meaning (noun)
A goal or aim, often specific and measurableMeaning (adjective)
Unbiased; based on facts that others can checkPart of speech
Noun and adjectivePronunciation
uhb-JEK-tivWord forms
objectively, objectivity, objectivesOrigin
Medieval Latin objectivus, from objectum, "thing put before the mind"Opposite
subjective (for the adjective)
Objective definition: the main senses
- Noun, a goal. Something you plan to achieve. In business and teaching it often means a clear, specific target: the objective of this lesson is to add fractions.
- Adjective, unbiased. Judging by facts and evidence, not by your opinions, likes or loyalties: an objective referee.
- Adjective, existing outside the mind. In philosophy and science, objective facts are true whatever anyone thinks, such as the boiling point of water at sea level.
- Grammar. Older grammar books call the object form of a pronoun (me, him, them) the objective case.
- Optics. The objective, or objective lens, is the lens in a microscope or telescope nearest the thing being viewed.
Objective as a goal at work and school
Plans usually separate a broad aim or goal from narrower objectives. A goal might be "grow our customer base"; an objective is "sign 200 new customers in the western region by the end of the quarter". Many teams use the SMART test: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Teachers write learning objectives at the top of a lesson plan, and job seekers sometimes open a resume with a short career objective. On our resume page you can see how that section fits in.
Objective vs subjective
| Objective | Subjective | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Facts, measurements, evidence | Feelings, tastes, opinions |
| Can others check it? | Yes, in principle | Not fully; it depends on the person |
| Example | The bridge is 400 metres long. | The bridge is beautiful. |
Complete objectivity is hard, because everyone has some bias and a perspective. Courts, scientists and journalists use methods such as evidence rules, blind tests and fact checks to get closer to it.
Objective meaning in example sentences
- Our main objective this year is to open two new branches.
- It is hard to stay objective when your own child is in the match.
- The exam has an objective section with multiple-choice questions and a written section.
- Please give me your objective opinion, not just what I want to hear.
- Switch to the 40x objective to see the cells clearly.
In India, an objective type paper means questions with one fixed correct answer, such as multiple choice, unlike essay or descriptive questions. This school and exam use is less common in the US, where people say multiple choice.
Common mix-ups
- Objective vs objection: an objection is a protest or reason against something. They share a root, but meanings differ.
- Objective vs object: the noun object can mean a purpose too (the object of the game), but objective sounds more formal and planned.
- Objectively: people sometimes say "objectively the best" about their own taste. Strictly, if it is only taste, it is subjective.
Office and planning vocabulary is gathered in the business and money pages, and the paradigm page covers another word from research.
How to define objective quickly
The meaning of objective is easy to pin down once you know the trick. If you need to define objective on the spot, ask whether it names a thing or describes one. Naming a thing, it means a target. Describing something, it means fair and fact-based. That simple test settles almost every sentence you will meet.
Frequently asked questions
What does objective mean in simple words?
In noun form, it is a goal you are working toward. In adjective form, it describes a view that is fair and rests on facts, not feelings.
How is a goal different from an objective?
A goal is broad, such as becoming fitter. An objective is a specific, measurable step toward it, such as running five kilometres three times a week for two months.
What is the opposite of objective?
The opposite of the adjective is subjective, meaning based on personal views or feelings. The noun has no single opposite.
What does objective type question mean?
It is a question with one fixed correct answer, such as multiple choice, true or false, or fill in the blank. The term is very common in Indian exams.
How do you pronounce objective?
Say uhb-JEK-tiv. The loud part is JEK, in the middle.