Objective means based on facts rather than feelings or opinions. When you're being objective, you look at what's actually true instead of what you want to be true or what makes you feel good.

A scientist measuring the temperature of water is being objective: the thermometer shows 72 degrees whether the scientist likes that number or not. But if that scientist says the water feels “too cold,” that's subjective (based on personal feeling) rather than objective. A referee making an objective call in soccer looks at what actually happened, not which team they secretly hope will win.

The word can also mean a goal you're trying to reach. In a video game, your objective might be to rescue the princess or collect all the coins. In science class, your objective for an experiment might be to discover which material insulates heat best. When a general plans a military operation, the objective is the target or goal the mission aims to achieve.

Being objective isn't always easy because our feelings naturally color how we see things. If your best friend and someone you don't like both give wrong answers in class, an objective response treats both situations the same way. That's harder than it sounds, but it's also what fairness requires.