verb
Common
subscribe
suhb-SKRYB
Subscribe (verb) means to sign up to regularly receive a publication or service, often for a fee. Example: “You can subscribe to our newsletter for free on the website.”
verb
1
To sign up to regularly receive a publication or service, often for a fee.
"You can subscribe to our newsletter for free on the website."
"I subscribed to the magazine for a year."
"She subscribed to the streaming service to watch the new series."
2
To agree with or support an idea or theory.
"I don't subscribe to the idea that talent matters more than hard work."
"Few scientists still subscribe to that old view of how the world began."
"He doesn't subscribe to that theory of economics."
How to use subscribe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sign up for something ongoing, or to agree with a viewpoint.
Common pairings
subscribe to a channel
subscribe to a theory
subscribe to a newsletter
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- subscribes
- Past tense
- subscribed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can _____ to our newsletter for free on the website.
Etymology
From Latin subscrībere, "to write beneath" — the same idea as underwriting, signing your name below something.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for subscribe
See all rhymes for subscribe →Frequently asked questions
What does “subscribe” mean?
The word “subscribe” means to sign up to regularly receive a publication or service, often for a fee. In plain terms, to sign up for something ongoing, or to agree with a viewpoint.
How do you pronounce “subscribe”?
“Subscribe” is pronounced suhb-SKRYB (/səbˈskɹaɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “subscribe” in a sentence?
Here is “subscribe” used in a sentence: “I subscribed to the magazine for a year.”
What is another word for “subscribe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “subscribe” include sign up and underwrite.
What part of speech is “subscribe”?
“Subscribe” is a verb.
Where does the word “subscribe” come from?
The word “subscribe” comes from Latin. From Latin subscrībere, "to write beneath" — the same idea as underwriting, signing your name below something.
Is “subscribe” a common word?
“Subscribe” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “subscribe” have?
“Subscribe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sign up to regularly receive a publication or service, often for a fee.
Which preposition follows subscribe?
In modern everyday English, subscribe takes to: you subscribe to a magazine, a streaming service, a channel, or a belief. The pattern subscribe for survives mainly in financial contexts, such as subscribing for shares in a company.
What is the difference between subscribe and sign up?
Sign up is the general act of registering for something, whether one-off or ongoing. Subscribe specifically implies arranging to receive a publication or service regularly, often for a recurring fee. You might sign up for a free trial, then subscribe when you start paying monthly.
What is the difference between subscribing and following online?
Usage varies by platform, but following generally just adds someone's updates to your feed, while subscribing implies opting in to receive their content regularly and can involve payment or membership. Subscribe is the older word, rooted in signing up to receive publications.
