subordinate
Americanadjective
-
placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.
-
of less importance; secondary.
- Synonyms:
- ancillary
-
subject to or under the authority of a superior.
-
subservient or inferior.
-
Grammar.
-
acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.
-
noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.
-
-
Obsolete. submissive.
noun
verb (used with object)
adjective
-
of lesser order or importance
-
under the authority or control of another
a subordinate functionary
noun
verb
-
to put in a lower rank or position (than)
-
to make subservient
to subordinate mind to heart
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
subordinacynoun
-
unsubordinativeadjective
-
subordinationnoun
-
subordinatenessnoun
-
unsubordinateadjective
-
nonsubordinatingadjective
-
nonsubordinateadjective
-
subordinatelyadverb
-
self-subordinatingadjective
-
subordinativeadjective
-
presubordinateverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has subordinatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have subordinatedperfect
-
have been subordinatingperfect progressive
-
am subordinatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been subordinatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are subordinatingprogressive
-
is subordinatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
subordinatessingular 3rd person
-
subordinatingparticiple
Past
-
had subordinatedperfect
-
were subordinatingprogressive plural
-
subordinatedparticiple
-
was subordinatingprogressive singular
-
subordinatedsimple
-
had been subordinatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of subordinate
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English adjective subordynat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre “to subordinate,” equivalent to Latin sub- “under, below, beneath” + ōrdin- (stem of ōrdō ) “rank, order” + -ātus past participle suffix; see sub-, -ate 1
Explanation
A subordinate is someone who works for someone else. As a verb, to subordinate means to place or rank one thing below another. When you're doing a group project, sometimes you have to subordinate your ideas to the desires of the larger group. The prefix sub- means "lower" and ordinate refers to an ordering of things. In the army, a private is subordinate to an officer. You can also say the private is a subordinate. When it's an adjective or noun, the word is pronounced "suh-BOR-duh-nit." When it's a verb, it’s pronounced "suh-BOR-duh-nate." Don’t subordinate one pronunciation to the other: they're both equally important.
Vocabulary lists containing subordinate
List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Latin Root "sub" Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Revised with a Subordinate Clause Students are choosing majors to enable them to earn more money because they are under the misconception that earning money guarantees happiness.
From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021
Revised with a Subordinate Clause Although college students have the opportunity to choose any major, they tend to choose those that offer immediate opportunities to earn money when they graduate.
From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021
Subordinate dogs lower their posture and lick the mouths of individuals — dog or human — whose preeminence they recognize.
From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021
In July, Moody's Investors Service put the authority's Public Project Revolving Fund Aa1 Senior Lien and Aa2 Subordinate Lien ratings under review for downgrade, a move affecting $1.26 billion in outstanding total debt.
From Reuters • Aug. 10, 2012
Subordinate clauses, adjective, adverb, noun, 54; subject of, 55.
From Business English A Practice Book by Buhlig, Rose
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.
