adj
subliminal
suh-BLIHM-ih-nuhl
Subliminal (adj) means Below the threshold of conscious awareness, though still capable of affecting thoughts or behavior. Example: “The film contained a subliminal message flashed for a fraction of a second.”
adj
1
Below the threshold of conscious awareness, though still capable of affecting thoughts or behavior.
"The film contained a subliminal message flashed for a fraction of a second."
"Some advertisers use subliminal cues to influence buying decisions."
How to use subliminal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that reaches your mind without you consciously noticing it.
Common pairings
subliminal message
subliminal advertising
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Word forms
- Plural
- subliminals
- Comparative
- more subliminal
- Superlative
- most subliminal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film contained a _____ message flashed for a fraction of a second.
Etymology
From sub- ("below") plus liminal ("relating to a threshold"), from Latin līmen, "threshold."
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for subliminal
See all rhymes for subliminal →Frequently asked questions
What does “subliminal” mean?
The word “subliminal” means below the threshold of conscious awareness, though still capable of affecting thoughts or behavior. In plain terms, something that reaches your mind without you consciously noticing it.
How do you pronounce “subliminal”?
“Subliminal” is pronounced suh-BLIHM-ih-nuhl (/səˈblɪm.ɪ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “subliminal” in a sentence?
Here is “subliminal” used in a sentence: “The film contained a subliminal message flashed for a fraction of a second.”
What part of speech is “subliminal”?
“Subliminal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “subliminal” come from?
The word “subliminal” comes from Latin. From sub- ("below") plus liminal ("relating to a threshold"), from Latin līmen, "threshold.".
