English

subjectivity

gb/səbd͡ʒɛktˈɪvɪti/ us/səbd͡ʒɛktˈɪvɪti/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun formal C1 property
1

influence of personal opinion

the fact that something depends on personal opinion instead of only facts

Usage pattern: subjectivity in [something]; the subjectivity of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse subjectivity with subject: subjectivity is the quality of being based on personal views.
Synonyms
bias (stronger and often negative; suggests unfair influence) | personal judgment (more neutral and concrete; emphasizes an individual's decision) | opinion (broader and less formal; refers to a view rather than the quality of being opinion-based)
Antonyms
objectivity (judgment based on facts rather than personal feelings) | impartiality (fairness without favoritism or personal preference)
Collocations
inherent subjectivity |a degree of subjectivity |an element of subjectivity |unavoidable subjectivity |personal subjectivity |reduce subjectivity |eliminate subjectivity |introduce subjectivity |subjectivity in grading |the subjectivity of interpretation
Themes
thinking |opinions |evaluation |communication
Examples
  • There is always some subjectivity in judging art or music.
  • The company changed the interview process to reduce subjectivity in hiring decisions.
  • Because the scoring system was vague, the results left too much room for subjectivity.
Learner examples
  • There is subjectivity in every personal review.
  • Clear rules can reduce subjectivity.
Noun technical C2 abstract
2

personal inner experience

a person's private way of experiencing and understanding the world

Usage pattern: [someone's] subjectivity; human subjectivity; the subjectivity of [someone]
Common mistake:
This sense is more academic; in everyday contexts, subjectivity usually means personal opinion rather than inner consciousness.
Synonyms
consciousness (broader; emphasizes awareness and mental life) | inner life (less technical; emphasizes private feelings and thoughts) | personal perspective (simpler; emphasizes viewpoint more than consciousness)
Antonyms
objectivity (a perspective that is independent of individual experience or feeling) | external reality (the world as considered outside a person's private experience)
Collocations
human subjectivity |individual subjectivity |female subjectivity |political subjectivity |modern subjectivity |forms of subjectivity |the construction of subjectivity |the experience of subjectivity |subjectivity and identity |subjectivity in literature
Themes
philosophy |psychology |identity |literature
Examples
  • The novel explores the subjectivity of a young woman living under social pressure.
  • Philosophers have long debated how subjectivity relates to the body and the outside world.
  • The film uses voice-over to give viewers access to the character's subjectivity.
Learner examples
  • The book shows the character's subjectivity.
  • Human subjectivity is a common topic in philosophy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
subjectivity
IPA
GB/səbd͡ʒɛktˈɪvɪti/
US/səbd͡ʒɛktˈɪvɪti/
Syllables & stress
sub - jectiv - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: subjectivity
  • Plural: subjectivities, subjectivity
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

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