English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

subcommittee

noun

A smaller group formed from within a larger committee to handle a specific part of its work.

subconscious

adj

Happening in the part of the mind we are not actively aware of.

subconsciously

adv

In a way that happens below the level of conscious awareness.

subcutaneous

adj

Located just beneath the skin, in the layer of fatty tissue there.

subdivision

noun

The act of splitting something that is already divided into even smaller parts.

subdue

verb

To bring a person, animal, or feeling under control, often by force or effort.

subdued

adj

Quieter or more restrained than usual, especially in mood.

subdural

adj

Located beneath the tough outer membrane covering the brain, known as the dura mater.

subject

noun

The main topic being discussed, studied, or shown in a work of art.

subjective

adj

Based on personal feelings, opinions, or perspective rather than on objective fact.

subjugate

verb

To conquer a people or country and force them into submission.

sublet

verb

To rent out property that you yourself are renting from someone else.

sublime

adj

So impressive, beautiful, or grand that it inspires deep awe.

subliminal

adj

Below the threshold of conscious awareness, though still capable of affecting thoughts or behavior.

submarine

noun

A vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea.

submerge

verb

To go completely under the surface of water or another liquid.

submerged

adj

Covered by water or another liquid; completely underwater.

submersible

adj

Capable of operating while completely underwater.

submission

noun

The act of giving in or yielding to someone else's authority or control.

submissive

adj

Willing to obey or give in to others without resistance.

submit

verb

To send in a piece of work, application, or request for review or approval.

submitting

noun

The act of sending something in for approval or review.

subordinate

adj

Lower in rank, importance, or position; under the authority of someone else.

subpoena

noun

A legal order requiring someone to appear in court or produce evidence, under threat of punishment for ignoring it.

subscribe

verb

To sign up to regularly receive a publication or service, often for a fee.

subscriber

noun

A person who has signed up to receive a service or publication regularly.

subscription

noun

An arrangement to receive a product or service regularly, usually for a recurring payment.

subsection

noun

A smaller part within a larger section, especially in a document or legal text.

subsequent

adj

Coming after something else in time or order.

subsequently

adv

Afterward; at a later time.

subservient

adj

Excessively willing to obey or serve others, often to an unhealthy degree.

subside

verb

To become calmer, weaker, or less intense over time.

subsidiary

noun

A company that is owned or controlled by a larger parent company.

subsidize

verb

To help pay for something, especially with government or organizational funds, to lower its cost.

subsidy

noun

Money given, often by a government, to support an industry, activity, or lower a price.

subspace

noun

In mathematics, a smaller set within a larger space that itself has the properties of a space.

substance

noun

A particular kind of physical matter with distinct properties.

substandard

adjective

Below the accepted level of quality; not good enough.

substantial

adjective

Large enough in size, amount, or value to be significant.

substantially

adverb

To a large or significant degree.

substantiate

verb

To back up a claim with evidence or proof.

substation

noun

A facility that converts or regulates electricity from high-voltage transmission lines for local use.

substitute

verb

To use one thing or person in place of another.

substitution

noun

The act of putting one thing in place of another, or the result of doing so.

subterfuge

noun

A trick or deceptive scheme used to avoid something or achieve a hidden goal.

subterranean

adjective

Located below the ground.

subtext

noun

A meaning implied beneath the surface of a text, speech, or conversation, not stated outright.

subtitle

noun

A secondary title placed below or after the main title of a book or work.

subtitled

adjective

Having dialogue translated and shown as on-screen text.

subtitling

noun

The process of adding subtitles to a film, show, or video.

subtle

adjective

So slight or delicate that it is barely noticeable.

subtlety

noun

The quality of being delicate, faint, or not obvious.

subtly

adverb

In a way that is delicate or not obvious.

subtract

verb

To take one number or amount away from another.

suburb

noun

A residential area on the edge of a city, with its own local shops and services.

suburban

adjective

Relating to or typical of a suburb.

suburbia

noun

Suburbs collectively, especially thought of as conventional or unexciting.

subversion

noun

The act of undermining or overthrowing a system, government, or authority from within.

subversive

adjective

Intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority.

subvert

verb

To weaken or destroy an established system, authority, or institution, often secretly.

subway

noun

An underground railway system used for urban public transport.

succeed

verb

To achieve a desired goal or outcome.

succeeding

adjective

Coming next, in order or in time.

success

noun

The achievement of a goal or desired result.

successful

adjective

Having achieved the intended goal or result.

successfully

adverb

In a way that achieves the intended result.

succession

noun

A number of things or people following one after another in order.

successive

adjective

Following one after another without interruption.

successor

noun

A person or thing that follows and takes the place of another.

succubus

noun

In folklore, a female demon believed to seduce men in their sleep.

succulent

adjective

Juicy and tender; pleasant to eat.

succumb

verb

To give in to something overpowering, such as pressure, temptation, or illness.

such

determiner

Of the kind already mentioned or implied.

suck

verb

To draw liquid or air into the mouth using the lips and tongue.

sucker

noun

A person who is easily fooled or persuaded.

suckered

adjective

Fitted or covered with suckers.

sucking

adjective

Still feeding on mother's milk; not yet weaned.

suckle

verb

To feed a baby or young animal with milk from a breast or udder.

suckling

noun

A baby or young animal that is still feeding on its mother's milk.

sucky

adj

Informal: bad, disappointing, or unpleasant.

sucre

noun

The former national currency of Ecuador, replaced by the US dollar in 2000.

suction

noun

A force that pulls or holds things together because the pressure in a space is lower than the pressure around it.

Sudan

name

A country in northeastern Africa, south of Egypt, with a long and turbulent political history.

Sudanese

adj

Relating to Sudan or its people.

sudden

adj

Happening quickly, with little or no warning.

suddenly

adv

In a way that happens quickly and unexpectedly.

Sudha

name

A feminine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "nectar."

sudo

noun

A command in Unix-like operating systems that lets an authorized user run a task with another user's (usually the administrator's) permissions.

sudoku

noun

A number puzzle played on a 9x9 grid, where each row, column, and smaller 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 to 9 exactly once.

suds

noun

The foam or froth made when soap mixes with water.

sue

verb

To take legal action against someone, typically in a civil (non-criminal) case.

suede

noun

A soft leather with a napped, brushed surface, often used for shoes, jackets, and bags.

Suen

name

A Chinese surname, a romanization of a name also spelled Sun.

suey

noun

Informal, shortened slang for suicide.

suffer

verb

To experience pain, hardship, or distress.

sufferer

noun

A person who experiences pain, illness, or hardship.

suffering

noun

Pain or distress, whether physical or emotional.

suffice

verb

To be enough for a purpose or need.

sufficient

adj

Enough for a particular purpose; adequate.

sufficiently

adv

To an adequate or sufficient degree; enough.

suffocate

verb

To die, or cause someone to die, from lack of oxygen.

suffocated

adj

Killed or overwhelmed by lack of air.

suffocating

adj

So overwhelming, hot, or oppressive that it feels hard to breathe.

suffocation

noun

Death or loss of consciousness caused by being deprived of oxygen.

Suffolk

name

A county in eastern England, on the North Sea coast.

suffrage

noun

The right to vote in political elections.

suffragette

noun

A woman who campaigned, often through militant action, for women's right to vote in the early 1900s, especially in Britain.

Sufi

noun

A follower of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes direct, personal experience of the divine.

Suga

name

A Japanese surname; also the stage name of a member of the K-pop group BTS.

sugar

noun

A sweet crystalline substance, usually made from sugar cane or sugar beet, used to sweeten food and drink.

sugarcoat

verb

To make something unpleasant seem more acceptable or attractive than it really is.

sugary

adj

Containing a lot of sugar, or tasting very sweet.

suggest

verb

To put forward an idea or possibility for consideration.

suggesting

verb

Putting forward an idea, plan, or possibility for someone else to consider.

suggestion

noun

An idea or plan put forward for consideration.

suggestive

adj

Tending to bring an idea or possibility to mind.

sugi

noun

The wood of the Japanese cedar tree, prized in construction and joinery.

Sugiyama

name

A Japanese surname meaning "cedar mountain."

Suh

name

A Korean surname, a romanization of the name also spelled Seo.

Sui

noun

A member of an ethnic group native to Guizhou province in southern China, numbering around 430,000 people.

suicidal

adjective

Wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to.

suicide

noun

The act of intentionally ending one's own life.

suing

verb

Taking legal action against someone, usually to claim money or force them to do (or stop doing) something.

suit

noun

A matching jacket and trousers (or skirt) worn together as formal or business clothing.

suitable

adjective

Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or occasion.

suitably

adverb

In a way that fits the situation; appropriately.

suitcase

noun

A rectangular case with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings when travelling.

suite

noun

A set of connected rooms, especially in a hotel.

suited

adjective

Well matched to a particular purpose, person, or set of conditions.

suiting

noun

Fabric made specifically for tailoring suits.

suitor

noun

A man who is courting or pursuing a romantic relationship with someone.

Suk

name

A Korean surname and given name.

suki

noun

A regular customer who gets preferential treatment from a vendor.

sukiyaki

noun

A Japanese hot-pot dish of thin-sliced beef, tofu, and vegetables simmered in a sweet soy-based broth, often cooked at the table.

Sul

name

A Korean surname.

Suleiman

name

A male given name of Arabic origin, the Arabic form of Solomon.

sulfate

noun

A salt or ester of sulfuric acid.

sulfur

noun

A pale yellow chemical element known for its strong smell, used in matches, gunpowder, and pest control.

sulfuric

adjective

Relating to sulfur, especially in its higher oxidation state, as in sulfuric acid.

sulk

verb

To show displeasure by going quiet and withdrawn rather than speaking about it.

sulking

noun

The act of being sullenly silent or withdrawn out of displeasure.

sulky

adjective

Silent and bad-tempered, especially after being upset about something.

sullen

adjective

Gloomy, silent, and bad-tempered.

sullied

adjective

Made dirty, tainted, or damaged in reputation.

sully

verb

To damage or spoil someone's reputation or something's purity.

Sulphur

name

A place name used for several towns, notably Sulphur, Louisiana and Sulphur, Oklahoma, often near natural sulphur springs.

sultan

noun

A ruler of a Muslim state or empire, especially historically in places like the Ottoman Empire or Brunei.

sultana

noun

A pale, seedless raisin made from a specific type of grape.

sultry

adjective

Hot and humid, with heavy, still air.

sulu

noun

A wraparound skirt-like garment worn by both men and women in Fiji, similar to a sarong.