Object vs. Thing

Object vs. Thing — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Object and Thing

Objectnoun

A thing that has physical existence.

Thingnoun

That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.

Objectnoun

; the goal, end or purpose of something.

Thingnoun

A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.

Objectnoun

(grammar) The noun phrase which is an internal complement of a verb phrase or a prepositional phrase. In a verb phrase with a transitive action verb, it is typically the receiver of the action.

Thingnoun

An individual object or distinct entity.

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Objectnoun

A person or thing toward which an emotion is directed.

Mary Jane had been the object of Peter's affection for years.The convertible, once the object of his desire, was now the object of his hatred.Where's your object of ridicule now?

Thingnoun

(informal) A genuine concept, entity or phenomenon; something that actually exists (contrary to expectation or belief).

Bacon pie? Is that a thing?

Objectnoun

(object-oriented programming) An instantiation of a class or structure.

Thingnoun

(legal)

Objectnoun

(category theory) An element within a category upon which functions operate. Thus, a category consists of a set of element objects and the functions that operate on them.

Thingnoun

Whatever can be owned.

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Objectnoun

(obsolete) Sight; show; appearance; aspect.

Thingnoun

Corporeal object.

Objectverb

(intransitive) To disagree with something or someone; especially in a Court of Law, to raise an objection.

I object to the proposal to build a new airport terminal.

Thingnoun

The latest fad or fashion.

What do you mean you don't twerk, Stacy? It's the latest thing!

Objectverb

To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.

Thingnoun

(in the plural) Clothes, possessions or equipment.

Hold on, let me just grab my things.

Objectverb

To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.

Thingnoun

(informal) A unit or container, usually containing edible goods.

get me a thing of apple juice at the store;I just ate a whole thing of jelly beans

Objectnoun

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow;

it was full of rackets, balls and other objects

Thingnoun

(informal) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.

The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.

Objectnoun

the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);

the sole object of her trip was to see her children

Thingnoun

(slang) A penis.

Objectnoun

(grammar) a constituent that is acted upon;

the object of the verb

Thingnoun

A living being or creature.

you poor thing;she's a funny old thing, but her heart's in the right place;I met a pretty blond thing at the bar

Objectnoun

the focus of cognitions or feelings;

objects of thoughtthe object of my affection

Thingnoun

That which matters; the crux.

that's the thing: we don't know where he went;the thing is, I don't have any money

Objectverb

express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent;

She never objected to the amount of work her boss charged her withWhen asked to drive the truck, she objected that she did not have a driver's license

Thingnoun

Used after a noun to refer dismissively to the situation surrounding the noun's referent.

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to promote that vision thing.

Objectverb

be averse to or express disapproval of;

My wife objects to modern furniture

Thingnoun

(informal) That which is favoured; personal preference. (Used in possessive constructions.)

Thingnoun

A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.

Thingnoun

(informal) A romantic relationship.

Thingverb

(rare) To express as a thing; to reify.

Thingnoun

a special situation;

this thing has got to endit is a remarkable thing

Thingnoun

an action;

how could you do such a thing?

Thingnoun

an artifact;

how does this thing work?

Thingnoun

an event;

a funny thing happened on the way to the...

Thingnoun

a statement regarded as an object;

to say the same thing in other termshow can you say such a thing?

Thingnoun

any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence;

the thing I like about her is ...

Thingnoun

a special abstraction;

a thing of the spiritthings of the heart

Thingnoun

a vaguely specified concern;

several matters to attend toit is none of your affairthings are going well

Thingnoun

an entity that is not named specifically;

I couldn't tell what the thing was

Thingnoun

a special objective;

the thing is to stay in bounds

Thingnoun

a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion;

he has a thing about seafoodshe has a thing about him

Thingnoun

a separate and self-contained entity