submarine
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for submarine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use submarine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From sub- ("under") plus marine ("of the sea").
Full origin of submarine →Frequently asked questions
What does “submarine” mean?
The word “submarine” means a vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea. In plain terms, most often the underwater naval vessel; informally, "to submarine" something means to secretly undermine or torpedo it.
How do you pronounce “submarine”?
“Submarine” is pronounced suhb-muh-REEN (/sʌb.məˈɹiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “submarine” in a sentence?
Here is “submarine” used in a sentence: “The crew spent six months aboard the submarine without surfacing.”
What part of speech is “submarine”?
Depending on how it is used, “submarine” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Is “submarine” a common word?
“Submarine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “submarine” have?
“Submarine” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea.
What is the difference between a submarine and a boat?
A submarine is specifically built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea, while a regular boat is designed to travel on the surface of the water. This underwater capability is what defines a vessel as a submarine rather than a boat or ship.
What does it mean to 'submarine' someone or something?
Used as a verb, to submarine something means to sabotage or secretly destroy it, as if attacking it without warning, much like a submarine strikes unseen from beneath the surface. It's often used in business or political contexts, such as 'they submarined the deal.'
Can submarine be used as an adjective?
Yes, submarine can describe anything existing, happening, or built for use underwater, as in 'submarine cables' or 'submarine volcanoes,' referring to structures or events beneath the sea's surface.