subconscious
Americanadjective
-
existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness.
the subconscious self.
-
imperfectly or not wholly conscious.
subconscious motivations.
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of subconscious
Explanation
Subconscious describes something that is just below your awareness, like at a subconscious level hoping your friend's boyfriend breaks up with her — you didn't even realize you felt that way until it happened. If you are aware of something, you are conscious of it, like being conscious of your tendency to talk too much when you are nervous: you watch for it and try to control it. Most words that start with the prefix sub- are something “under” the root word: something subconscious is under or below your awareness. Maybe in time, it will surface — you might get to the root of why you get so nervous in the first place.
Vocabulary lists containing subconscious
Power Prefix: sub-
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Latin Love, Vol I: sci
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Friday the 13th
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Subconscious things just coming out of me — it’s a weird gift I have.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025
Subconscious reminders worked as well as conscious ones.
From Scientific American • Dec. 9, 2022
Subconscious bias might help to explain this enormous disparity.
From Slate • May 30, 2019
The Subconscious Menu, which has been under development for about six months and is currently being piloted in the U.K., was selected as the method that best leverages technology to improve the experience for customers.
From Time • Dec. 2, 2014
Subconscious, sub-kon′shus, adj. faintly conscious, applying to perceptions which are without consciousness or memory.—adv.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
