sub

[ suhb ]

See synonyms for sub on Thesaurus.com

noun

a submarine.
a substitute: We've got a sub in English this week because our teacher's home with the flu.

a submarine sandwich.
a submissive in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship.
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.
to act as the submissive partner in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship.

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

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

Origin of sub

By shortening of words prefixed with sub-

regional variation note For sub

3. 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.

Origin of sub-

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

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

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. 2023

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 | THE 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 | THE 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 salary: Formal term: subsistence allowance

verbsubs, 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 beneath: subterranean
secondary in rank; subordinate: subeditor

falling short of; less than or imperfectly: subarctic; subhuman
forming a subdivision or subordinate part of a whole: subcommittee
(in chemistry)
- indicating that a compound contains a relatively small proportion of a specified element: suboxide
- indicating that a salt is basic salt: subacetate

Origin of 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

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.)

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