Thing vs. Object — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Thing" encompasses a wide range, including abstract and physical concepts, while "Object" usually refers to something tangible and physical.
Difference Between Thing and Object
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A thing encompasses both tangible and intangible entities, whereas an object is usually something physical that you can touch. Things can include emotions or concepts, objects are typically material.
In conversation, 'thing' is more versatile, often used to refer to something when the specific word doesn’t come to mind. 'Object,' however, is more precise, referring to physical items.
'Thing' can denote an idea or an activity, such as in the phrase “doing my own thing.” An object, in contrast, would be used for a physical item involved in that activity.
In grammar, 'thing' can be a placeholder for an unknown or unspecified item. An object, in grammatical terms, is something acted upon by the subject in a sentence.
Philosophically, 'thing' can represent an existential entity, including abstract concepts. 'Object' generally refers to entities that exist independently and are perceivable.
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Comparison Chart
Tangibility
Can be intangible or tangible
Typically tangible
Usage in Speech
Broad, versatile usage
More specific, denotes physical items
Representation
Can represent ideas, activities, or entities
Represents physical items
Grammatical Role
Can be a placeholder for unknown items
Acts as a target of action in sentences
Philosophical Aspect
Encompasses both abstract and concrete entities
Usually refers to independently existing entities
Compare with Definitions
Thing
An object, idea, or entity.
The most important thing is to stay positive.
Object
A goal or purpose.
His object was to finish the marathon, no matter the time.
Thing
An unspecified item.
Can you hand me that thing on the table?
Object
Something perceptible by the senses.
The bright object in the sky was actually a satellite.
Thing
An object or entity that is not or cannot be named specifically
What is this thing for?.
Object
A material thing that can be seen and touched
Small objects such as shells
He was dragging a large object
Thing
An individual object, especially an inanimate object
There wasn't a thing in sight.
Object
A person or thing to which a specified action or feeling is directed
Disease became the object of investigation
He hated being the object of public attention
Thing
A creature
That baby is the sweetest thing!.
Object
A noun or noun phrase governed by an active transitive verb or by a preposition
In Gaelic the word order is verb, subject, object
Thing
An entity or item
How many things are there on the test?.
Object
A data construct that provides a description of anything known to a computer (such as a processor or a piece of code) and defines its method of operation
The interface treats most items, including cells, graphs, and buttons, as objects
Thing
Something referred to by a word, symbol, sign, or idea; a referent.
Object
Say something to express one's opposition to or disagreement with something
‘It doesn't seem natural,’ she objected
The boy's father objected that the police had arrested him unlawfully
Residents object to the volume of traffic
Thing
Things Articles of clothing
Put on your things and let's go.
Object
A specific, individual, material entity, especially one that is not living or not sentient.
Thing
Things Possessions, including clothing; belongings
Pack your things.
It's time to go.
Object
A focus of attention, feeling, thought, or action
A product that was so bad it became an object of derision.
Thing
Often things(Law) That which can be possessed or owned
Things personal.
Things real.
Object
A limiting factor that must be considered
Since money is no object, let's eat at that fancy place.
Thing
Things The equipment needed for an activity or a special purpose.
Object
The purpose, aim, or goal of a specific action or effort
The object of the game.
Thing
An act, deed, or work
Promised to do great things.
Object
A noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives or is affected by the action of a verb within a sentence.
Thing
The result of work or activity
Is always building things.
Object
A noun or substantive governed by a preposition and typically following it.
Thing
A means to an end
Just the thing to increase sales.
Object
(Philosophy) Something intelligible to or perceptible by the mind.
Thing
A thought, notion, or utterance
What a rotten thing to say!.
Object
A discrete item than can be selected and maneuvered, such as an onscreen graphic.
Thing
A piece of information
Wouldn't tell me a thing about the project.
Object
In object-oriented programming, a structure that combines data and the procedures necessary to operate on that data.
Thing
An end or objective
In blackjack, the thing is to get nearest to 21 without going over.
Object
To present a dissenting or opposing argument; raise an objection
Objected to the testimony of the witness.
Thing
A matter of concern
Many things on my mind.
Object
To be averse to or express disapproval of something
Objects to modern materialism.
Thing
A turn of events; a circumstance
The accident was a terrible thing.
Object
To put forward in or as a reason for opposition; offer as criticism
They objected that discipline was lacking.
Thing
A particular state of affairs; a situation
Let's deal with this thing promptly.
Object
A thing that has physical existence but is not alive.
Thing
Things The general state of affairs; conditions
"Beneath the smooth surface of things, something was wrong" (Tom Wicker).
Object
; goal, end or purpose of something.
Thing
(Informal) The latest fad or fashion
Drag racing was the thing then.
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
(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
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
(Slang) An activity uniquely suitable and satisfying to one
Let him do his own thing. Mountain climbing is really my thing.
Object
(object-oriented programming) An instantiation of a class or structure.
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
(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
That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
Object
(obsolete) Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
Thing
A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
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
An individual object or distinct entity.
Bacon pie? Is that a 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
(legal)
Object
To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.
Thing
Whatever can be owned.
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
Corporeal object.
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
The latest fad or fashion.
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
(in the plural) Clothes, possessions or equipment.
Hold on, let me just grab my things.
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
(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
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
(informal) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.
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
(slang) A penis.
Object
Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
He, advancing closeUp to the lake, past all the rest, aroseIn glorious object.
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 word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb.
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
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
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
Anything which exists and which has attributes; distinguished from attributes, processes, and relations.
Thing
(informal) That which is favoured; personal preference. (Used in possessive constructions.)
It's not really my thing
Object
Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed.
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
A tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow;
It was full of rackets, balls and other objects
Thing
A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
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
(informal) A romantic relationship.
Object
(grammar) a constituent that is acted upon;
The object of the verb
Thing
(informal) A romantic couple.
Are John and Jennifer a thing again? I thought they broke up.
Object
The focus of cognitions or feelings;
Objects of thought
The object of my affection
Thing
(MLE) Alternate form of ting.
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
(MLE) Girl; attractive woman.
Look at the nyash on that thing!
Object
Be averse to or express disapproval of;
My wife objects to modern furniture
Thing
(rare) To express as a thing; to reify.
Object
A material item that can be seen and touched.
The mysterious object turned out to be an old clock.
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.
Object
The target or focus of an action.
The object of the game is to score the most points.
Thing
An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material.
Ye meads and groves, unconscious things!
Object
To express disagreement or opposition.
She objected to the plan, citing environmental concerns.
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
A matter or situation.
Moving to a new city is no small thing.
Thing
An activity or event.
Going for a run is my morning thing.
Thing
A type or kind.
Italian food is my favorite thing to eat.
Common Curiosities
Can 'thing' refer to emotions?
Yes, 'thing' can refer to emotions or abstract concepts.
What does object mean?
An object is typically a physical item that can be seen and touched.
Can 'object' be used in legal terms?
Yes, 'object' can be used in legal contexts to refer to material items.
What is a thing?
A thing can be an object, idea, situation, or activity; it's a very versatile term.
Is an object always material?
Generally, yes. An object is usually something material and tangible.
How is 'thing' used in conversation?
'Thing' is often used as a general term when the specific word isn't known or needed.
Do 'thing' and 'object' overlap in meaning?
They can overlap when referring to physical items, but 'thing' has broader uses.
Is 'thing' used in philosophical contexts?
Yes, 'thing' can be used in philosophy to discuss abstract concepts.
Can 'object' mean a goal?
Yes, 'object' can also refer to a goal or purpose.
Is 'thing' specific in its reference?
'Thing' is less specific and more versatile than 'object'.
Does 'object' have a grammatical role?
Yes, in grammar, an object is something acted upon by the subject in a sentence.
Is 'thing' informal in usage?
'Thing' can be seen as more informal compared to the more specific 'object'.
Are 'thing' and 'object' interchangeable?
They can be in some contexts, but 'thing' is broader and more versatile.
Can 'object' be a verb?
Yes, 'object' can be a verb meaning to express disagreement.
Can 'thing' be a placeholder?
Yes, 'thing' is often used as a placeholder for an unspecified or unknown item.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
