Word
subjectively
Phoneticssub·jec·tive·ly
UK/sʌbdʒˈɛktɪvli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that depends on your own feelings or opinions, not on facts.
adv. based on personal perspective, feeling, or interpretation rather than verifiable fact. Often set against 'objectively' to mark a judgment as personal rather than neutral.
Examples
“People judge food subjectively based on personal taste.”
“The judges score performances subjectively, so personal taste affects the final results.”
“Historians warn that memoirs describe events subjectively, shaped as much by memory and motive as by what actually happened.”
Examples
simple
“People judge food subjectively based on personal taste.”
contextual
“The judges score performances subjectively, so personal taste affects the final results.”
complex
“Historians warn that memoirs describe events subjectively, shaped as much by memory and motive as by what actually happened.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “subjectively” in context.
Verb
01. assess subjectively
“Managers should not assess subjectively without clear criteria.”
verb + adv
02. experience subjectively
“Pain is experienced subjectively, so treatment must be personalised.”
verb + adv
03. judge subjectively
“Teachers must not judge subjectively when marking national exams.”
verb + adv
04. perceive subjectively
“People perceive subjectively how risky a situation really is.”
verb + adv
05. subjectively define
“People subjectively define success according to their values.”
adv + verb
06. subjectively evaluate
“Customers subjectively evaluate service quality based on expectations.”
adv + verb
Adjective
07. subjectively beautiful
“What is subjectively beautiful varies considerably across cultures.”
adv + adj
08. assess essays subjectively
“Examiners try not to assess essays subjectively during IELTS marking.”
09. interpret results subjectively
“Researchers must be careful not to interpret results subjectively.”
10. judge performance subjectively
“It is unfair to judge performance subjectively without transparent standards.”
11. perceive risk subjectively
“Drivers tend to perceive risk subjectively rather than using statistics.”
12. speaking purely subjectively
“Speaking purely subjectively, I find modern architecture rather cold.”
Usage
Typically modifies a verb, adjective, or whole clause; often placed before the element it qualifies.
Real-World Examples
“Subjectively, though, the preschoolers excelled: They enjoyed the tasks more and felt more motivation and less anxiety than their older counterparts.” Etymology
From subjective + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/subjectively