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objective

objective

509 3.7
A goal a person or group wants to achieve
  • noun
  • /əbˈdʒɛktɪv/
translation icon : objetivo
  • First, think about the overall learning goal or objective for student learning of the scientific concept.
  • achieve objectives
  • goals and objectives
  • learning objectives

It wasn't one strategic objective that made Apple.

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Examples

  • Our main objective this year is to improve customer satisfaction.

  • As a young architect, the whole objective was to do creative work.

  • If you have an objective, just stick to it.

  • So for example, my objective might be to live longer.

  • What was your mission or objective?

  • What are the learning objectives for each course?

  • Just to take care of, to try to get the people fed, I would say is one of the main objectives here.

  • Improving communication with problem solving as a shared objective is the focus of this behavioral approach.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Students have been informed about the research objective, and participation of volunteers has been ensured.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Your objective is to make sure the plutonium is returned safely to our base.

Synonyms

goal
vsobjective
1.0

A result a person or group plans to achieve

describes an intended result for a person or organization rather than the effort
purpose
vsobjective
1.6

The reason something is done or made

is about a specific outcome people or organizations try to reach
end
vsobjective
808 1.0

The aim of a plan or action

is the general intended result for persons or organizations not only plans
target
vsobjective
487 1.6

A goal a person or group tries to reach

also applies to organizations as well as individuals
aim
vsobjective
205 1.0

A goal someone wants to reach

includes both individual wishes and planned organizational outcomes
object
vsobjective
  • Formal
85 3.7

A goal someone wants to reach

focuses on the intended result that people or groups try to achieve

Compounds

objective lens
  • Specialized
1 3.9

The lens nearest the object in a microscope or telescope that makes the main image

objective case
  • Specialized
1 7.4

The form words like him or them take when they are objects in a sentence

How Ambitious

ambition
310 2.8
target
487 1.6
objective
509 3.7
aim
205 1.0

Surface Forms

objective singular
objectives plural

Morphology

objective = object (semi-transparent) = object + ive

The suffix '-ive' typically forms adjectives, but 'objective' as a noun meaning 'goal' requires additional context to understand.

Etymology

Objective as a goal comes from Latin parts ob- 'toward' and -ject 'to throw', so imagine 'throwing' your aim ahead of you. That's why an objective is something you put in front of you to reach.