ENGLISH
REFERENCE

objective

n. · adj.
US //əbˈdʒɛktɪv// UK //ɒbdʒˈɛktɪv// ob·jec·tive
  1. 1 a goal (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    something that you are trying to achieve.

    a specific result or goal that a person or system aims to achieve.

    Example

    The main objective of the meeting is to decide on next year's budget.

    Example

    The primary strategic objective of the campaign was to increase brand awareness among younger demographics without alienating existing customers.
  2. 2 a lens (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the lens in a microscope or camera that is closest to the thing you are looking at.

    the lens or system of lenses in an optical instrument which is nearest to the object being viewed.

    Example

    He carefully cleaned the objective of the microscope before starting the experiment.

    Example

    The technician adjusted the high-power objective to bring the cellular structure into sharp focus for the digital capture.
    • objective lens
    • eyepiece
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  1. 3 unbiased (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    based on real facts and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

    not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on unbiased, observable facts.

    Example

    It is hard to remain objective when you are arguing with a close friend.

    Example

    The journalist struggled to provide an objective account of the conflict, given the overwhelming emotional weight of the testimonies she recorded.
  2. 4 grammar (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    relating to the form of a word when it is the object of a sentence.

    relating to the grammatical case used for a noun or pronoun that functions as the object of a verb or preposition.

    Example

    In the sentence 'She saw him', the word 'him' is in the objective case.

    Example

    The student confused the subjective and objective forms of the pronoun, leading to several errors in the formal written assignment.
    • accusative
    • nominative
Origin

From Middle English obgectyf, from Middle French objectif and its etymon Medieval Latin obiectīvus. By surface analysis, object + -ive.

Word family

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