submarine
suhb-muh-REEN
Submarine (noun) means a vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea. Example: “The crew spent six months aboard the submarine without surfacing.”
noun
1
A vessel built to travel underwater, especially beneath the sea.
"The crew spent six months aboard the submarine without surfacing."
"Children lined up to look through the periscope of the old submarine at the museum."
"The submarine dived slowly and disappeared beneath the grey waves."
adj
1
Existing, happening, or built for use underwater.
"Marine biologists study submarine volcanoes along the ocean floor."
"A submarine cable carries internet traffic across the ocean between the two continents."
"The divers explored a submarine cave full of colourful fish."
verb
1
To sabotage or secretly destroy something, as if attacking it without warning.
"Rumors suggest a rival submarined the deal at the last minute."
"Jealous colleagues tried to submarine her promotion by spreading false stories."
"He felt that someone had submarined his plans without telling him."
How to use submarine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the underwater naval vessel; informally, "to submarine" something means to secretly undermine or torpedo it.
Common pairings
nuclear submarine
submarine warfare
submarine a deal
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- submarines
- Past tense
- submarined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crew spent six months aboard the _____ without surfacing.
Etymology
From sub- ("under") plus marine ("of the sea").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for submarine
See all rhymes for 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.
