sub

[ suhb ]

/ sʌb /

Informal.

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See synonyms for sub on Thesaurus.com

noun

a submarine.

a submissive in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship.

a substitute.

a submarine sandwich. See entry at hero sandwich.

a subcontractor.

a sublieutenant.

a subordinate.

a subaltern.

British. an advance against one's wages, especially one granted as a subsistence allowance.

Photography. a substratum.

verb (used without object), subbed, sub·bing.

to act as a substitute for another.

verb (used with object), subbed, sub·bing.

Photography. to coat (a film or plate) with a substratum.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

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Origin of sub

By shortening of words prefixed with sub-

regional variations of sub

4. See hero sandwich.

Other definitions for sub (2 of 4)

SUB

abbreviation

supplemental unemployment benefits.

Other definitions for sub (3 of 4)

sub-

a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin (subject; subtract; subvert; subsidy); on this model, freely attached to elements of any origin and used with the meaning “under,” “below,” “beneath” (subalpine; substratum), “slightly,” “imperfectly,” “nearly” (subcolumnar; subtropical), “secondary,” “subordinate” (subcommittee; subplot).

Chemistry.

a prefix indicating a basic compound: subacetate; subcarbonate; subnitrate.
a prefix indicating that the element is present in a relatively small proportion, i.e., in a low oxidation state: subchloride; suboxide.

Also su-, suc-, suf-, sug-, sum-, sup-, sur-, sus- .

Origin of sub-

<Latin, combining form representing sub (preposition); akin to Greek hypó;see hypo-

Other definitions for sub (4 of 4)

sub.

abbreviation

subordinated.

subscription.

substitute.

suburb.

suburban.

subway.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sub in a sentence

Both were on the bench in the final minutes as Brooks let his subs finish the game.
The Wizards’ defense again lets them down in loss at home to Raptors|Ava Wallace|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
In the tight environments of a ship or sub, wire makes more sense.
This huge Xerox printer can create metal parts for the US Navy|Rob Verger|February 4, 2021|Popular-Science
In a small kitchen and seating area, the market’s specialties are sub sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream and hamburgers.
Winning $730 million Powerball ticket sold in Maryland|Dana Hedgpeth|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
A tighter meter will turn into more subs, even when the conversion rate takes a bit of a hit.
‘More is more’: News publishers dial up the marketing heat on their subscription products|Max Willens|November 12, 2020|Digiday

You just go through the list and so many of those positions, they may not be the same as a teacher, but to someone those are critical positions and are really hard to bring in a sub.
‘One More Hugely Disruptive Thing’: Teachers to Leave Mid-Year Under Retirement Deal|Ashly McGlone|November 5, 2020|Voice of San Diego
On the show, she was the epitome of Marilyn Monroe hotness, but subbed loud belches for breathy coos—and then laughed about it.
Jenny McCarthy Twerks Out a Stellar ‘The View’ Debut|Kevin Fallon|September 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Just as I'm finishing this post, they subbed out Greenland with: "Romney, Cameron Engage in Olympic Games Tiff."
The Alternative Universe Where Mitt Romney Is A Cool Guy|Michael Tomasky|July 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So when I went ashore with a couple of dollars I'd subbed from the skipper, I didn't want much to upset me.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
Bustling off in search of Irma, Jerry accosted her with: Who subbed for me to-day at the nursery?
Marjorie Dean High School Senior|Pauline Lester
That day she was ill, Sue Mason subbed for her; and she probably would again.
The Mystery of Arnold Hall|Helen M. Persons
He subbed as ship's cook when things were slow in his specialty.
Contamination Crew|Alan Edward Nourse
Course, we was only gettin' our ten per cent., and from some we'd subbed out not even that.
The House of Torchy|Sewell Ford

British Dictionary definitions for sub (1 of 3)

sub

/ (sʌb) /

noun

short for several words beginning with sub-See subaltern, subeditor, submarine, subordinate, subscription, substandard, substitute, substratum (def. 6)

British informal an advance payment of wages or salaryFormal term: subsistence allowance

verb subs, subbing or subbed

(intr) to serve as a substitute

(intr) informal to act as a substitute (for)

British informal to grant or receive (an advance payment of wages or salary)

(tr) informal short for subedit

(tr) photog to apply a substratum to (a film or plate base)

British Dictionary definitions for sub (2 of 3)

sub-

prefix

situated under or beneathsubterranean

secondary in rank; subordinatesubeditor

falling short of; less than or imperfectlysubarctic; subhuman

forming a subdivision or subordinate part of a wholesubcommittee

(in chemistry)

indicating that a compound contains a relatively small proportion of a specified elementsuboxide
indicating that a salt is basic saltsubacetate

Word Origin for sub-

from Latin sub

British Dictionary definitions for sub (3 of 3)

sub.

abbreviation for

subeditor

subito (in music)

subscription

substitute

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for sub

sub-

pref.

Below; under; beneath:subcutaneous.

Subordinate; secondary:subinfection.

Subdivision:subkingdom.

Less than completely or normally; nearly; almost:subfertility.

Scientific definitions for sub

sub-

A prefix that means underneath or lower (as in subsoil), a subordinate or secondary part of something else (as in subphylum.), or less than completely (as in subtropical.)

sub

Origin of sub

regional variations of sub

Other definitions for sub (2 of 4)

Other definitions for sub (3 of 4)

Origin of sub-

Other definitions for sub (4 of 4)

Words related to sub

How to use sub in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sub (1 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for sub (2 of 3)

Word Origin for sub-

British Dictionary definitions for sub (3 of 3)

Medical definitions for sub

Scientific definitions for sub