subscriber
Americannoun
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a person, company, etc., that subscribes, as to a publication or concert series.
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a homeowner, apartment dweller, business, etc., that pays a monthly charge to be connected to a television cable service.
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a person who promises to donate a sum of money, purchase stock, etc.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subscriber
Explanation
A subscriber is someone who supports a cause, philosophy, or an actual service, often through paying money. For example, a subscriber to a streaming service may pay a monthly fee to watch the provider's television shows and movies. The word subscriber comes from the Latin roots sub, meaning "under," and scrib, meaning "write." So subscribers can be thought of as those who sign their names at the bottom of a contract — either literally or figuratively. Magazine subscribers literally sign a contract to pay a monthly fee to get the latest issues delivered to them. But subscribers may also just be people who strongly agree with or adopt a philosophy or lifestyle, figuratively "signing on."
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.
Subscriber losses have weighed on Comcast stock for years, because connectivity and platforms has long been the company’s most profitable segment.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Subscriber growth has also benefited from the country seeing a steady rise in immigration as it welcomes more people in a bid to grow its population.
From Reuters • Nov. 9, 2023
Subscriber growth is surging again at the streaming video pioneer, an early sign that its ad-supported service is keeping it competitive.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2023
Subscriber losses at Netflix weren’t as bad as expected and the streaming giant soared nearly 17 percent on the week — the most since 2018.
From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2022
"Subscriber," New York.—It is not easy to stop a canary from moulting.
From Harper's Young People, March 9, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various
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.
