subordinate
suh-BAW-dih-nuht
Subordinate (adj) means Lower in rank, importance, or position; under the authority of someone else. Example: “Junior officers are subordinate to the captain.”
adj
1
Lower in rank, importance, or position; under the authority of someone else.
"Junior officers are subordinate to the captain."
noun
1
A person who works under someone else's authority.
"The manager delegated the task to one of her subordinates."
verb
1
To treat something as less important than something else, or to place it under another's control.
"He subordinated his own ambitions to support the family business."
How to use subordinate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLower in rank than something or someone else, or (as a noun) the person in that lower position.
Common pairings
subordinate clause
direct subordinate
subordinate to
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Word forms
- Plural
- subordinates
- Third person singular
- subordinates
- Past tense
- subordinated
- Comparative
- more subordinate
- Superlative
- most subordinate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Junior officers are _____ to the captain.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, from sub- ("under") plus ōrdināre ("to order, arrange").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for subordinate
See all rhymes for subordinate →Frequently asked questions
What does “subordinate” mean?
The word “subordinate” means lower in rank, importance, or position; under the authority of someone else. In plain terms, lower in rank than something or someone else, or (as a noun) the person in that lower position.
How do you pronounce “subordinate”?
“Subordinate” is pronounced suh-BAW-dih-nuht (/səˈbɔɹdɪnət/ in IPA).
How do you use “subordinate” in a sentence?
Here is “subordinate” used in a sentence: “Junior officers are subordinate to the captain.”
What part of speech is “subordinate”?
Depending on how it is used, “subordinate” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “subordinate” come from?
The word “subordinate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, from sub- ("under") plus ōrdināre ("to order, arrange").
Is “subordinate” a common word?
“Subordinate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “subordinate” have?
“Subordinate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lower in rank, importance, or position; under the authority of someone else.
