Object vs. Thing: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Object" usually refers to a tangible or specific item or goal, while "thing" is a more general term for an item, idea, or situation.
Key Differences
"Object" and "thing" are both nouns in English, yet they carry subtly different nuances. An "object" often refers to a specific tangible item, something that can be seen, touched, or perceived. It holds a more defined and less ambiguous representation in contexts. On the other hand, "thing" possesses a broader application, representing any item, idea, situation, or entity, tangible or intangible. The versatility of "thing" makes it a commonly used word to refer to something when a more specific term might be elusive.
When considering the origins and etymology, "object" comes from Latin 'ob-' meaning "in the way of" and '-ject,' which means "to throw." It often alludes to something that stands in one's path, both literally and metaphorically. Contrarily, "thing" originates from Old English and has Germanic roots, historically referring to a gathering or assembly, but over time, its meaning evolved to describe virtually any entity or matter, reinforcing its general nature.
In grammar, "object" might also refer to a noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. For instance, in the sentence, "She threw the ball," "ball" is the object. Conversely, "thing" doesn't have a specific grammatical role outside of its generic noun application. It's a catch-all term for anything we might not have a precise word for at a given moment.
Interestingly, the context can sometimes blur the distinction between "object" and "thing." For example, in a museum, one might refer to exhibits as "objects," emphasizing their tangible, historical significance. Yet, if someone isn't sure about an item's nature or name in the same museum, they might label it a "thing" until they garner more information.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A tangible or specific item or goal.
A general term for an item, idea, or situation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin
Latin, meaning "in the way of" and "to throw."
Old English, historically referred to a gathering.
Grammatical Use
Often used as the receiver of an action in a sentence.
A generic noun with no specific grammatical role.
Context
More specific and defined.
Broad and can be used in a variety of contexts.
Intangibility
Usually tangible but can be used metaphorically.
Can refer to both tangible and intangible entities.
Object and Thing Definitions
Object
A goal or purpose.
The object of the game is to score points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thing
An unspecified item or matter.
There's something strange about that thing over there.
Object
A person or thing in reference to the action of a verb.
She is the object of his affection.
Thing
An object or entity that is not or cannot be named specifically
What is this thing for?.
Object
Someone or something that evokes a specific emotion.
He became an object of ridicule.
Thing
An individual object, especially an inanimate object
There wasn't a thing in sight.
Object
A specific, individual, material entity, especially one that is not living or not sentient.
Thing
A creature
That baby is the sweetest thing!.
Object
A focus of attention, feeling, thought, or action
A product that was so bad it became an object of derision.
Thing
An entity or item
How many things are there on the test?.
Object
A limiting factor that must be considered
Since money is no object, let's eat at that fancy place.
Thing
Something referred to by a word, symbol, sign, or idea; a referent.
Object
The purpose, aim, or goal of a specific action or effort
The object of the game.
Thing
Things Articles of clothing
Put on your things and let's go.
Object
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives or is affected by the action of a verb within a sentence.
Thing
Things Possessions, including clothing; belongings
Pack your things.
It's time to go.
Object
A noun or substantive governed by a preposition and typically following it.
Thing
Often things(Law) That which can be possessed or owned
Things personal.
Things real.
Object
(Philosophy) Something intelligible to or perceptible by the mind.
Thing
Things The equipment needed for an activity or a special purpose.
Object
A discrete item than can be selected and maneuvered, such as an onscreen graphic.
Thing
An act, deed, or work
Promised to do great things.
Object
In object-oriented programming, a structure that combines data and the procedures necessary to operate on that data.
Thing
The result of work or activity
Is always building things.
Object
To present a dissenting or opposing argument; raise an objection
Objected to the testimony of the witness.
Thing
A means to an end
Just the thing to increase sales.
Object
To be averse to or express disapproval of something
Objects to modern materialism.
Thing
A thought, notion, or utterance
What a rotten thing to say!.
Object
To put forward in or as a reason for opposition; offer as criticism
They objected that discipline was lacking.
Thing
A piece of information
Wouldn't tell me a thing about the project.
Object
A thing that has physical existence but is not alive.
Thing
An end or objective
In blackjack, the thing is to get nearest to 21 without going over.
Object
; goal, end or purpose of something.
Thing
A matter of concern
Many things on my mind.
Object
(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.
Thing
A turn of events; a circumstance
The accident was a terrible thing.
Object
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?
Thing
A particular state of affairs; a situation
Let's deal with this thing promptly.
Object
(object-oriented programming) An instantiation of a class or structure.
Thing
Things The general state of affairs; conditions
"Beneath the smooth surface of things, something was wrong" (Tom Wicker).
Object
(category theory) An instance of one of the two kinds of entities that form a category, the other kind being the arrows (also called morphisms).
Similarly, there is a category whose objects are groups and whose arrows are the homomorphisms from one group to another.
Thing
(Informal) The latest fad or fashion
Drag racing was the thing then.
Object
(obsolete) Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
Thing
(Informal) A persistent feeling, interest, desire, or aversion
She has a thing for him and keeps talking about him. I have a thing about seafood and never eat it.
Object
(intransitive) To disagree with or oppose something or someone; (especially in a Court of Law) to raise an objection.
I object to the proposal to build a new airport terminal.
We strongly object to sending her to jail for ten years.
Thing
(Slang) An activity uniquely suitable and satisfying to one
Let him do his own thing. Mountain climbing is really my thing.
Object
To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.
Thing
(Informal) Used to refer to something with disapproval or contempt
Where did you get that thing? I wouldn't drive that thing if you paid me.
Object
To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.
Thing
That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
Object
To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.
Of less account some knight thereto object,Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.
Some strong impediment or other objecting itself.
Pallas to their eyesThe mist objected, and condensed the skies.
Thing
A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
Object
To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.
He gave to him to object his heinous crime.
Others object the poverty of the nation.
The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered.
Thing
An individual object or distinct entity.
Bacon pie? Is that a thing?
Object
To make opposition in words or argument; to express one's displeasure; - usually followed by to; as, she objected to his vulgar language.
Thing
(legal)
Object
That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible or tangible and persists for an appreciable time; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark.
Thing
Whatever can be owned.
Object
Anything which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought, study, etc.
Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa quam."
The object of their bitterest hatred.
Thing
Corporeal object.
Object
That toward which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; goal; end; aim; motive; final cause.
Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause . . . . This innovation was probably borrowed from the French.
Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.
Thing
The latest fad or fashion.
Object
Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
He, advancing closeUp to the lake, past all the rest, aroseIn glorious object.
Thing
(in the plural) Clothes, possessions or equipment.
Hold on, let me just grab my things.
Object
A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb.
Thing
(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
Object
Any set of data that is or can be manipulated or referenced by a computer program as a single entity; - the term may be used broadly, to include files, images (such as icons on the screen), or small data structures.
Thing
(informal) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.
Object
Anything which exists and which has attributes; distinguished from attributes, processes, and relations.
Thing
(slang) A penis.
Object
Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed.
Thing
A living being or creature.
You poor thing
Sweet young thing
She's a funny old thing, but her heart's in the right place
I met a pretty blond thing at the bar
Object
A tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow;
It was full of rackets, balls and other objects
Thing
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
Object
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
Thing
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.
Object
(grammar) a constituent that is acted upon;
The object of the verb
Thing
(informal) That which is favoured; personal preference. (Used in possessive constructions.)
It's not really my thing
Object
The focus of cognitions or feelings;
Objects of thought
The object of my affection
Thing
(informal, with do) One's typical routine, habits, or manner. (Used in possessive constructions.)
Let me do my thing;
I'm here doing my thing
Object
Express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent;
She never objected to the amount of work her boss charged her with
When asked to drive the truck, she objected that she did not have a driver's license
Thing
A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
Object
Be averse to or express disapproval of;
My wife objects to modern furniture
Thing
(informal) A romantic relationship.
Object
A material thing that can be seen and touched.
He picked up the object off the floor.
Thing
(informal) A romantic couple.
Are John and Jennifer a thing again? I thought they broke up.
Object
A thing external to the thinking mind or subject.
The colors of the objects were vibrant.
Thing
(MLE) Alternate form of ting.
Thing
(MLE) Girl; attractive woman.
Look at the nyash on that thing!
Thing
(rare) To express as a thing; to reify.
Thing
Whatever exists, or is conceived to exist, as a separate entity, whether animate or inanimate; any separable or distinguishable object of thought.
God made . . . every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind.
He sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Thing
An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material.
Ye meads and groves, unconscious things!
Thing
A transaction or occurrence; an event; a deed.
[And Jacob said] All these things are against me.
Which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Thing
A portion or part; something.
Wicked men who understand any thing of wisdom.
Thing
A diminutive or slighted object; any object viewed as merely existing; - often used in pity or contempt.
See, sons, what things you are!
The poor thing sighed, and . . . turned from me.
I'll be this abject thing no more.
I have a thing in prose.
Thing
Clothes; furniture; appurtenances; luggage; as, to pack or store one's things.
And them she gave her moebles and her thing.
In the garden [he] walketh to and fro,And hath his things [i. e., prayers, devotions] said full courteously.
Hearkening his minstrels their things play.
Thing
Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; - distinguished from person.
Thing
In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly.
Thing
In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly; - used, esp. in composition, in titles of such bodies. See Legislature, Norway.
Thing
A special situation;
This thing has got to end
It is a remarkable thing
Thing
An action;
How could you do such a thing?
Thing
An artifact;
How does this thing work?
Thing
An event;
A funny thing happened on the way to the...
Thing
A statement regarded as an object;
To say the same thing in other terms
How can you say such a thing?
Thing
Any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence;
The thing I like about her is ...
Thing
A special abstraction;
A thing of the spirit
Things of the heart
Thing
A vaguely specified concern;
Several matters to attend to
It is none of your affair
Things are going well
Thing
An entity that is not named specifically;
I couldn't tell what the thing was
Thing
A special objective;
The thing is to stay in bounds
Thing
A persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion;
He has a thing about seafood
She has a thing about him
Thing
A separate and self-contained entity
Thing
An inanimate material object.
That's a useful thing to have.
Thing
An abstract entity, quality, or concept.
The best thing about it was the price.
Thing
An action, activity, event, or fact.
Getting a promotion was a good thing.
Thing
A living creature or being. (Informal)
Poor thing, she looks upset.
FAQs
Is "thing" always used for inanimate objects?
No, "thing" can refer to animate or inanimate entities, ideas, or situations.
How specific is "object" in usage?
It tends to be more specific than "thing" but can vary based on context.
Can "object" refer to intangible things?
Yes, as in "the object of affection," but it's often used for tangible items.
Does "thing" always refer to physical items?
No, it can refer to ideas, situations, or even emotions.
Can "object" refer to people?
It can, especially when considering who is affected by an action or emotion.
Can "thing" represent a concept or idea?
Yes, it can represent any entity, concept, or matter, tangible or intangible.
Are object and thing synonyms?
They can be, but "object" is often more specific, while "thing" is more general.
Is "thing" used when the specific name of an item is unknown?
Often, yes. "Thing" is a go-to word when the precise term is elusive.
Are there any contexts where "object" and "thing" are used interchangeably?
Yes, especially when referring to items of unknown or unclear nature.
Can "thing" be used in formal writing?
Yes, but it's often better to use more specific terms when possible.
Can "thing" refer to people?
Informally and generally empathetically, yes, like in “poor thing.”
Which word is more formal, "object" or "thing"?
"Object" tends to sound more formal due to its specificity.
Can "object" have a grammatical role in a sentence?
Yes, it can refer to the receiver of an action in a verb-object relationship.
Is "object" always tangible?
It often is, but can be used metaphorically for intangible concepts.
Is "object" used metaphorically?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to represent goals or focuses of emotion.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
