objective

Everyday

1. (noun) An aim or goal you are trying to reach (the lesson objective). tree →
2. (adjective) Based on facts and not on personal feelings or opinions; fair. tree →
3. (adjective) Real and able to be measured or checked. tree →
4. (noun, science) The lens nearest the object in a microscope. tree →

In the lessons

At school: learning objectives on the board ("Today's objective: add fractions"). In science and reports: be objective — write what you saw, not what you hoped. Phrases: learning objective, main objective, stay objective.

Examples

• Today's learning objective is to measure angles. tree →
• Our main objective is to finish the project. tree →
• A referee must be objective and fair. tree →
• Write an objective report: facts only. tree →
• Height is an objective fact; who is nicest is an opinion. tree →
• The team reached its objective of raising 100 pounds. tree →
• Look through the objective lens of the microscope. tree →

Note

Opposite of the adjective: subjective (based on feelings). Adverb: objectively. In word problems, "the objective" is what you must find. Countable as a noun.