Subordinate Definition & Meaning

subordinate
adjective
  1. lower in rank or importance
  2. subject or submissive to authority or the control of another; "a subordinate kingdom"
  3. (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence; "a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence"
noun
  1. an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
  2. a word that is more specific than a given word
verb
  1. rank or order as less important or consider of less value; "Art is sometimes subordinated to Science in these schools"
  2. make subordinate, dependent, or subservient; "Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler"

Synonyms for subordinate

adjunct adj

furnishing added support; "an ancillary pump"; "an adjuvant discipline to forms of mysticism

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assistant adj

of or relating to a person who is subordinate to another a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or

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buck noun

a gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated

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dependent adj

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed; "dependent children

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inferior adj

of or characteristic of low rank or importance of low or inferior quality written or printed below and to one side of

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junior adj

younger; lower in rank; shorter in length of tenure or service used of the third or next to final year in United States

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lower noun

the lower of two berths move something or somebody to a lower position; "take down the vase from the shelf" set lower

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lowly adj

low or inferior in station or quality; "a humble cottage"; "a lowly parish priest"; "a modest man of the people

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petty adj

inferior in rank or status; "the junior faculty"; "a lowly corporal"; "petty officialdom

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ruled adj

subject to a ruling authority; "the ruled mass"

♫ Rhymes

"Subordinate" in song lyrics

See how subordinate is used in real songs:

  • "And set all coordinates on the subordinate"
    Kool Moe Dee — I'm Kool Moe Dee
  • "Hittin the right coordinates to sink your battleship subordinate"
    Celestial Souljahz -- — War Trilogy (Pts I, II, III)
  • "and make the hottest act on ya label feel subordinate"
    Yak Ballz — The Plague

Words that rhyme with subordinate

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Usage tips for "subordinate"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "subordinate" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for subordinate to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with subordinate ↔ Synonyms for subordinate 🔬 Words containing subordinate

Frequently asked questions

What does subordinate mean?
lower in rank or importance subject or submissive to authority or the control of another; "a subordinate kingdom" (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence; "a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence" an assistant subject to the authority or control of another a word that is more specific than a given word rank or order as less important or consider of less value
What part of speech is subordinate?
Subordinate is an adjective, a noun, and a verb.
How many definitions does subordinate have?
Subordinate has 7 definitions across 3 parts of speech (adjective, noun, verb).

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