subconscious
suhb-KON-shuhs
Subconscious (adj) means happening in the part of the mind we are not actively aware of. Example: “His subconscious fears showed up in his dreams.”
adj
1
Happening in the part of the mind we are not actively aware of.
"His subconscious fears showed up in his dreams."
"The sense of smell can be a subconscious influence on our actions."
noun
1
The part of the mind that works below our conscious awareness.
"Advertisers hope their jingles sink into your subconscious."
How to use subconscious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe mental background running beneath your everyday awareness, that still shapes what you think and do.
Common mistake
Subconscious describes mental activity you can sometimes bring to awareness with effort; unconscious usually means total lack of awareness (as in being knocked out).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- subconsciouses
- Comparative
- more subconscious
- Superlative
- most subconscious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ fears showed up in his dreams.
Etymology
From sub- ("below") plus conscious.
Synonyms
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subconscious mind
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for subconscious
See all rhymes for subconscious →Frequently asked questions
What does “subconscious” mean?
The word “subconscious” means happening in the part of the mind we are not actively aware of. In plain terms, the mental background running beneath your everyday awareness, that still shapes what you think and do.
How do you pronounce “subconscious”?
“Subconscious” is pronounced suhb-KON-shuhs (/sʌbˈkɑn.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “subconscious” in a sentence?
Here is “subconscious” used in a sentence: “His subconscious fears showed up in his dreams.”
What part of speech is “subconscious”?
Depending on how it is used, “subconscious” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “subconscious” a common word?
“Subconscious” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “subconscious” have?
“Subconscious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening in the part of the mind we are not actively aware of.
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