subliminal

[ suhb-lim-uh-nl ]

adjective

, Psychology.

1. existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual:

   a subliminal stimulus;

   subliminal advertising.

subliminal

/ sʌbˈlɪmɪnəl /

adjective

1. resulting from processes of which the individual is not aware
2. (of stimuli) less than the minimum intensity or duration required to elicit a response

Derived Forms

• subˈliminally, adverb

Other Words From

• sub·limi·nal·ly adverb
• nonsub·limi·nal adjective
• nonsub·limi·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subliminal¹

First recorded in 1885–90; sub- + Latin līmin-, stem of līmen “threshold” + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of subliminal¹

C19: from Latin sub- below + līmen threshold

Example Sentences

It means “not like us,” and that’s become this unspoken subliminal message that is very disturbing to me.

From Salon

The character of Jesus of Suburbia embodies this disillusionment, navigating “the subliminal mindf**k America,” a world that feels increasingly hollow and disconnected from any meaningful values.

From Salon

Research into the psychology of food waste tends to focus on nudges, which are subliminal actions to change behavior, such as menus designed to highlight plant-based options.

From Salon

No one is mentioning the wars and political divisions cleaving the globe, but it is clear that if they are not in the forefront of designers’ minds, the drive for self-protection is a subliminal part of the Zeitgeist.

From Seattle Times

Some may be tempted to dust off their old copies of L'Express from the Grumbach years in search of subliminal pro-Soviet messaging.

From BBC

Related Words

• psyche