noun Common

sub

suhb

Sub (noun) means a submarine (informal shortening). Example: “The sub surfaced a few miles offshore.”

noun

A submarine (informal shortening).

"The sub surfaced a few miles offshore."

A substitute, especially a teacher or sports player standing in for another.

"We had a sub for math class today."

verb

To act as a substitute for someone.

"She subbed for the regular teacher while he was ill."

To replace one player with another during a game.

"The coach subbed him out in the second half."

How to use sub

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn informal shorthand that can mean submarine, substitute, or subscription depending on context.

Common mistake

Meaning depends heavily on context — sports, school, and internet usage all use "sub" differently.

Common pairings

sub in sub out grab a sub

Word forms

subbed past tense, subbed past tense, subs singular, subs singular

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The _____ surfaced a few miles offshore.

Etymology

A shortened form of various words beginning with "sub-," such as submarine, substitute, and subscription.

Synonyms

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submarine submersible U-boat hero substitute bomber wedge torpedo grinder hoagie zep hoagy

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sub” mean?

The word “sub” means a submarine (informal shortening). In plain terms, an informal shorthand that can mean submarine, substitute, or subscription depending on context.

How do you pronounce “sub”?

“Sub” is pronounced suhb (/sʌb/ in IPA).

How do you use “sub” in a sentence?

Here is “sub” used in a sentence: “The sub surfaced a few miles offshore.”

What part of speech is “sub”?

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

Is “sub” a common word?

“Sub” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “sub” have?

“Sub” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a submarine (informal shortening).

What does 'sub' stand for?

In this sense, 'sub' is an informal shortening of 'submarine' — a ship designed to operate underwater. It is the everyday, conversational form, common in news, film, and casual speech, while 'submarine' is the full, formal term used in technical and official writing.

What are the other meanings of 'sub'?

'Sub' is a busy little word. Beyond submarine, it can mean a substitute (a stand-in teacher or player), a submarine sandwich, a subscription or subscriber, or a subordinate. Context usually makes the meaning clear, but on its own 'sub' is genuinely ambiguous.

Is 'sub' formal or informal?

'Sub' meaning submarine is informal. In casual conversation, headlines, or fiction it reads naturally, but formal, technical, or official documents use the full word 'submarine'. Think of it the way 'phone' relates to 'telephone' — the same thing, just relaxed and shortened for everyday use.

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