Subjective Meaning: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：based on personal feelings (subjective)

subjective 🔊

/səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

adj.

Based on a person's own feelings and thoughts, not on facts.

Subjective reaction to abstract art showing two different personal opinions

based on personal feelings 🔊

➕

/beɪst ɒn ˈpɜːsənl ˈfiːlɪŋz/

adj.

Subjective refers to something that is influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions, rather than being objective and based on verifiable facts.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'subjectus' (past participle of 'subicere' - to throw under) + '-ive' (adjective suffix). Literally 'thrown under', referring to what lies beneath personal perspective.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'Sub' (under) + 'ject' (throw) = throw under your own feelings. If you 'sub' your judgment under emotions, it's subjective.

📖 Example

Whether you like abstract art is a subjective judgment; there's no right or wrong answer. 🔊 Whether you like abstract art is a subjective judgment; there's no right or wrong answer.

🔗 Collocations

subjective opinion – a personal viewpoint not necessarily based on facts

subjective experience – an individual's personal encounter or feeling

subjective judgment – an assessment influenced by personal biases

🔄 Synonyms

personal (adj.) – relating to an individual's own feelings or opinions

biased (adj.) – unfairly influenced by personal beliefs or preferences

individual (adj.) – distinctive to a particular person's perspective

🚫 Antonyms

objective (adj.) – based on observable facts, not personal feelings

impartial (adj.) – not favoring one side over another; fair

unbiased (adj.) – free from personal prejudice or influence

🌱 Derivatives

subjectively (adv.) – in a way that is based on personal feelings

subjectivity (n.) – the quality of being influenced by personal feelings

subjectivism (n.) – a philosophical doctrine that emphasizes personal experience

📖 Cultural Story

The term originated in medieval philosophy from Latin 'subjectivus', used by Scholastics to distinguish personal mental states from objective reality. It gained modern prominence during the Enlightenment as a key concept in epistemology and ethics.