subconscious

[ suhb-kon-shuhs ]
See synonyms for subconscious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness: the subconscious self.: Compare preconscious, unconscious.

  2. imperfectly or not wholly conscious: subconscious motivations.

noun
  1. the totality of mental processes of which the individual is not aware; unreportable mental activities.

Origin of subconscious

1
First recorded in 1825–35; sub- + conscious

Other words from subconscious

  • sub·con·scious·ly, adverb
  • sub·con·scious·ness, noun
  • non·sub·con·scious, adjective
  • non·sub·con·scious·ness, noun

Words Nearby subconscious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use subconscious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subconscious

subconscious

/ (sʌbˈkɒnʃəs) /


adjective
  1. acting or existing without one's awareness: subconscious motive

noun
  1. psychoanal that part of the mind which is on the fringe of consciousness and contains material of which it is possible to become aware by redirecting attention: Compare preconscious (def. 2), unconscious (def. 5)

Derived forms of subconscious

  • subconsciously, adverb
  • subconsciousness, noun

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