subconscious

American  

[suhb-kon-shuhs] / sʌbˈkɒn ʃəs /

adjective

1. existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness.

   the subconscious self.

2. imperfectly or not wholly conscious.

   subconscious motivations.

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noun

• subconsciouses
  plural

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

subconscious British  

/ sʌbˈkɒnʃəs /

adjective

1. acting or existing without one's awareness

   subconscious motive

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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 unconscious

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsubconsciousness
  noun
• subconsciousness
  noun
• nonsubconscious
  adjective
• subconsciously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• subconsciouses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of subconscious

First recorded in 1825–35; sub- + conscious

Explanation

Subconscious describes something that is just below your awareness, like at a subconscious level hoping your friend's boyfriend breaks up with her — you didn't even realize you felt that way until it happened. If you are aware of something, you are conscious of it, like being conscious of your tendency to talk too much when you are nervous: you watch for it and try to control it. Most words that start with the prefix sub- are something “under” the root word: something subconscious is under or below your awareness. Maybe in time, it will surface — you might get to the root of why you get so nervous in the first place.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subconscious

She pays attention to how the actor’s mannerisms change when they are in action — how they walk, which foot they lean on and other subconscious physical gestures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

So I think wanting to work with your subconscious and wanting to explore aspects of yourself that are usually hidden is just a very thrilling thought.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

“It’s the whole subconscious bias problem,” said Harvard historian of science and corporate influence expert Naomi Oreskes.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

When I walked into the arcade, I experienced a feeling I’d stuffed down into my subconscious for decades: the stultifying awkwardness of a middle school dance.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

Still—what does it say about my subconscious that I’m dreaming about my grandma when she was a kid?

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• psyche