subjective

/səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

Group 6Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions
GRE

Example in Context

The grading criteria were criticized as overly subjective, with students arguing that identical work received different marks depending on the evaluator.

Synonyms

personalbiasedindividual

Etymology

Thrown under personal feelings — influenced by individual perspectives.

  • sub- (Latin) — under
  • jectus (Latin) — thrown

Memory Aid

🤢Sounds like “sub jet sick

Imagine a SUB JET that's so sick it only flies based on your feelings — everything is SUBJECTIVE!

Visual Association

🖌️An artist painting wildly, using only colors that reflect their mood — a subjective masterpiece.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “subjective” mean on the GRE?

subjective (adjective) means “Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions”. The grading criteria were criticized as overly subjective, with students arguing that identical work received different marks depending on the evaluator.

How to remember “subjective” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “subjective” sounds like “sub jet sick”. Imagine a SUB JET that's so sick it only flies based on your feelings — everything is SUBJECTIVE!

What are synonyms for “subjective”?

Common synonyms: personal, biased, individual.