subconscious
Americanadjective
-
existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness.
the subconscious self.
-
imperfectly or not wholly conscious.
subconscious motivations.
noun
-
subconsciouses
plural
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
"It was buried so deeply in my subconscious... Everything that happened to people is beyond imagination if you haven't experienced it yourself," she added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
Edney conceded there was "no evidence" that the jurors had communicated with anyone else, but said innocent contact - even just seeing the detective or solicitors - could have resulted in "subconscious influence".
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
So I think wanting to work with your subconscious and wanting to explore aspects of yourself that are usually hidden is just a very thrilling thought.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
On a subconscious level, its fans are returning the favor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
He’d not come here first for a reason, some subconscious part of him desperate to avoid this specific pain.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
