subordinate

[ adjective noun suh-bawr-dn-it; verb suh-bawr-dn-eyt ]

adjective

1. placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.
2. of less importance; secondary.

   Synonyms: ancillary

   Antonyms: primary, superior

3. subject to or under the authority of a superior.
4. subservient or inferior.
5. subject; dependent.
6. Grammar.
   1. acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.
   2. noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.
7. Obsolete. submissive.

noun

1. a subordinate person or thing.

   Synonyms: inferior

verb (used with object)

, sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing.

1. to place in a lower order or rank.

   Synonyms: reduce, lower

2. to make secondary (usually followed by to ):

   to subordinate work to pleasure.

3. to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually followed by to ):

   to subordinate passion to reason.

subordinate

adjective

1. of lesser order or importance
2. under the authority or control of another

   a subordinate functionary

noun

1. a person or thing that is subordinate

verb

1. to put in a lower rank or position (than)
2. to make subservient

   to subordinate mind to heart

Derived Forms

• subˈordinative, adjective
• subˈordinately, adverb
• subˌordiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• sub·ordi·nate·ly adverb
• sub·ordi·nate·ness noun
• sub·ordi·nation sub·or·di·na·cy [s, uh, -, bawr, -dn-, uh, -see], noun
• sub·or·di·na·tive [s, uh, -, bawr, -dn-ey-tiv, -, bawr, -dn-, uh, -], adjective
• nonsub·ordi·nate adjective
• nonsub·ordi·nating adjective
• presub·ordi·nate verb (used with object) presubordinated presubordinating
• self-sub·ordi·nating adjective
• unsub·ordi·nate adjective
• unsub·ordi·native adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subordinate¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English adjective subordynat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre “to subordinate,” equivalent to Latin sub- “under, below, beneath” + ōrdin- (stem of ōrdō ) “rank, order” + -ātus past participle suffix; sub-, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of subordinate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin subordināre, from Latin sub- + ordō rank

Example Sentences

“At the beginning, my character is seriously subordinate to her powerful and terrifying older sister,” Williams says.

From Los Angeles Times

To suggest that a Black person is lazy is a very old white racist stereotype that has its origins in white on Black chattel slavery and the American apartheid system that deemed Black people as incapable of full citizenship, “natural” slaves, childlike and members of a subordinate and inferior group that was unfit for freedom.

From Salon

China and Taiwan are "not subordinate to each other", he said, adding that China "has no right to represent Taiwan".

From BBC

The journalism sex scandals we’ve had over the past few years have generally been of the #MeToo variety: male boss harasses female subordinate.

From Los Angeles Times

I can’t think of a single high-profile female journalist who lost her career for sexually harassing or assaulting a subordinate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aide
• assistant
• deputy
• servant
• underling