# objective

/əbˈdʒɛktɪv/ (US) · /ɒbdʒˈɛktɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/objective
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a goal

noun · CEFR B1

something that you are trying to achieve.

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

- The main objective of the meeting is to decide on next year's budget.
- The primary strategic objective of the campaign was to increase brand awareness among younger demographics without alienating existing customers.

### 2. a lens

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- He carefully cleaned the objective of the microscope before starting the experiment.
- The technician adjusted the high-power objective to bring the cellular structure into sharp focus for the digital capture.

### 3. unbiased

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- It is hard to remain objective when you are arguing with a close friend.
- The journalist struggled to provide an objective account of the conflict, given the overwhelming emotional weight of the testimonies she recorded.

### 4. grammar

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- In the sentence 'She saw him', the word 'him' is in the objective case.
- The student confused the subjective and objective forms of the pronoun, leading to several errors in the formal written assignment.

## Examples

- Our main objective is to finish the project by Friday.
- The manager met with the team to define the marketing objectives for the next fiscal quarter.
- While the long-term vision remains ambitious, the immediate objective is to stabilize the supply chain and reduce overhead costs before the winter season begins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.