Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

subtype

American  
[suhb-tahyp] / ˈsʌbˌtaɪp /

noun

  1. a subordinate type.

  2. a special type included within a more general type.


subtype British  
/ ˈsʌbˌtaɪp /

noun

  1. a secondary or subordinate type or genre, esp a specific one considered as falling under a general classification

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of subtype

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + type


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.

See Examples For:

The 10-year survival rates for lymphoma vary based on whether it is Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as the stage, your age, and the subtype.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

For years, researchers believed that one dendritic cell subtype called cDC1 was the primary driver of this response.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

The other was a subtype of microglia, immune cells in the brain that help control inflammation.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2026

Her blood is also RO, a rare and vital subtype often found in people with black African or Caribbean descent.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

Both Mr. Sloat and Milt Borogrove stared at him as he rattled on, “Give us the specifications of the cat you desire. Color, sex, subtype, such as Manx, Persian, Abyssinian—”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com