objective

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A specific goal or result that a person, group, or organization plans to achieve.

   Grammar: Countable; often plural in plans. Use achieve/meet/set with it: set an objective, meet objectives.

   Patterns

   • achieve an objective
   • set clear objectives
   • meet a project objective
   • strategic objective

   The main objective is to reduce waiting times.

   We set three objectives for the semester.

   Did the training meet its stated objectives?

2. 2nouncountablemilitaryspecialist

   In military use, a place or target that forces aim to capture or reach.

   Grammar: Specialist and usually singular in reports: the day's objective.

   Patterns

   • seize the objective
   • advance toward the objective

   The unit moved toward its objective before dawn.

   Supply lines made the objective hard to hold.

3. 3adjectivenot comparable

   Based on facts and evidence rather than personal feelings, opinions, or bias.

   Grammar: Often before a noun or after be: objective data, the report is objective. Opposite is subjective.

   Patterns

   • objective evidence
   • objective assessment
   • remain objective
   • objective truth

   Please give an objective summary of the results.

   Judges must remain objective under pressure.

   The review was fair and largely objective.

Word forms

Common combinations

achieve an objective

We achieved the objective without raising fees.

set objectives

Managers should set objectives employees can measure.

strategic objective

Recycling became a strategic objective for the city.

objective evidence

The claim requires objective evidence, not anecdotes.

remain objective

A mediator must remain objective when both sides are angry.

Synonyms and how they differ

goal

The general word for an end result; objective is often more specific, planned, and measurable.

aim

A purpose or intended result; more personal and broader than a formal objective.

target

A precise level or number to hit; stronger on measurement than objective.

purpose

The underlying reason for an action; deeper and less concrete than an objective.

Opposites

Word family

object noun

A thing, goal, or focus; in grammar, the receiver of an action.

object verb

To disagree or present an objection; stress shifts to ob-JECT.

objectivity noun

The quality of being based on facts rather than bias.

objection noun

A reason or statement against something.

Commonly confused: objective or objection? objective or subjective?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “objective”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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