subordinate

American  

[suh-bawr-dn-it, suh-bawr-dn-eyt] / səˈbɔr dn ɪt, səˈbɔr dnˌeɪt /

adjective

1. placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.

2. of less importance; secondary.

   Synonyms:

   ancillary

   Antonyms:

   primary, superior

3. subject to or under the authority of a superior.

4. subservient or inferior.

5. subject; dependent.

6. Grammar.

   1. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.

   2. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.

7. Obsolete. submissive.

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noun

1. a subordinate person or thing.

   Synonyms:

   inferior

verb (used with object)

subordinated, subordinating

1. to place in a lower order or rank.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, lower

2. to make secondary (usually followed byto ).

   to subordinate work to pleasure.

3. to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually followed byto ).

   to subordinate passion to reason.

subordinate British  

adjective

1. of lesser order or importance

2. under the authority or control of another

   a subordinate functionary

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noun

1. a person or thing that is subordinate

verb

1. to put in a lower rank or position (than)

2. to make subservient

   to subordinate mind to heart

Other Word Forms

• nonsubordinate adjective
• nonsubordinating adjective
• presubordinate verb (used with object)
• self-subordinating adjective
• subordinacy noun
• subordinately adverb
• subordinateness noun
• subordination noun
• subordinative adjective
• unsubordinate adjective
• unsubordinative adjective

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; sub-, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

With the aid of Sara Gettelfinger’s choreography, the five subordinate characters jelled as an ensemble, supplying ambience and making up for the missing chorus.

From The Wall Street Journal

He wasn’t consulted on a decision to transfer one of his subordinates to another division and worried he would be legally liable for the move.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prasad took the unusual step of signing the letter to the company himself, rather than a subordinate directly overseeing vaccine applications.

From The Wall Street Journal

They conducted 360-degree reviews of the Disney executives, talking to subordinates and colleagues as well as bosses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Casey Higgins, however, said Price is ultimately responsible for disclosing conflicts of interest and argued blaming his subordinates was not a defense to corruption charges.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aide
• assistant
• deputy
• servant
• underling