subscriber

American  

[suhb-skrahy-ber] / səbˈskraɪ bər /

noun

1. a person, company, etc., that subscribes, as to a publication or concert series.

2. a homeowner, apartment dweller, business, etc., that pays a monthly charge to be connected to a television cable service.

3. a person who promises to donate a sum of money, purchase stock, etc.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubscriber
  noun
• presubscriber
  noun

Etymology

Origin of subscriber

First recorded in 1590–1600; subscribe + -er ¹

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

Despite a surge in profits in the first quarter, Spotify’s share price has fallen 25% this year as investors worry about a slowdown in subscriber growth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

Economic challenges and a low subscriber base saw the streaming giants pull funding for original content, a decision that left filmmakers pivoting and many observers asking: What’s next for Nollywood?

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Disney, like many of its competitors, is no longer reporting subscriber additions.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Disney no longer discloses its streaming subscriber totals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Your YouTube subscriber count is at three hundred and sixteen, and growing.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

• donor