subject

16 synonyms and 4 antonyms for subject, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

topic theme matter focus issue question case discipline content open capable dependent

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

subject matter bailiwick underbring subjugate

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

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

“Climate change was the subject of the panel discussion.”

topic theme subject matter matter focus issue question case bailiwick discipline content underbring

2. noun

The person or thing a sentence is about — grammatically, the doer of the action.

“In "the dog barked," "the dog" is the subject.”

Opposites

predicate object

3. adj

Likely to experience or be affected by something.

“The coastal town is subject to frequent flooding.”

open capable dependent

Opposites

free exempt

4. verb

To force someone to go through an experience, usually an unpleasant one.

“The prisoners were subjected to harsh interrogation.”

subjugate

How to use subject

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

subject to change subject matter test subject change the subject

Etymology

From Latin subiectus, "lying under, placed beneath" — from sub ("under") plus iaciō ("to throw"), so literally "thrown under."

Full origin of subject →

Frequently asked questions

What does “subject” mean?

The word “subject” means the main topic being discussed, studied, or shown in a work of art. In plain terms, depending on context: a topic, a grammatical role, a test participant, or someone under a ruler's authority.

How do you pronounce “subject”?

“Subject” is pronounced SUHB-jihkt (/ˈsʌb.d͡ʒɛkt/ in IPA).

How do you use “subject” in a sentence?

Here is “subject” used in a sentence: “Climate change was the subject of the panel discussion.”

What is another word for “subject”?

Words with a similar meaning to “subject” include underbring.

What part of speech is “subject”?

Depending on how it is used, “subject” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “subject” come from?

The word “subject” comes from Latin. From Latin subiectus, "lying under, placed beneath" — from sub ("under") plus iaciō ("to throw"), so literally "thrown under.".

Is “subject” a common word?

“Subject” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “subject” have?

“Subject” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main topic being discussed, studied, or shown in a work of art.

What is the difference between a subject and a topic?

The words overlap, but subject is usually broader and topic narrower. A subject is a whole field — history, or a novel's central theme. A topic is a specific point within it, such as the causes of one war. You study a subject and discuss particular topics inside it.

What is the difference between subject and object?

In grammar these are opposites. The subject does the action in a sentence — the dog barked. The object receives it — she kicked the ball. Note that subject has another meaning too: the main topic of a book, talk, or artwork, which is a different sense of the word.

What is an example of a subject in art?

In a painting, the subject is what it mainly depicts — a bowl of fruit in a still life, a person in a portrait, or a storm in a landscape. It is the central focus the artist has chosen to show, around which the rest of the work is arranged.

People also searched

case free open matter question issue focus content capable theme object topic

Nearby words

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