subordinate

American  

[suh-bawr-dn-it, suh-bawr-dn-eyt] / səˈbɔr dn ɪt, səˈbɔr dnˌeɪt /

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.

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noun

1. a subordinate person or thing.

   Synonyms:

   inferior

verb (used with object)

subordinated, subordinating

1. to place in a lower order or rank.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, lower

2. to make secondary (usually followed byto ).

   to subordinate work to pleasure.

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

   to subordinate passion to reason.

subordinate British  

adjective

1. of lesser order or importance

2. under the authority or control of another

   a subordinate functionary

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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

Other Word Forms

• nonsubordinate adjective
• nonsubordinating adjective
• presubordinate verb (used with object)
• self-subordinating adjective
• subordinacy noun
• subordinately adverb
• subordinateness noun
• subordination noun
• subordinative adjective
• unsubordinate adjective
• unsubordinative adjective

Etymology

Origin of subordinate

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

Example Sentences

“The subordinated side of the bank bond spectrum remains most vulnerable to further adjustment, in our view.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The complaint detailed taped comments made by Petillo’s subordinates but included no evidence showing she had participated in the exchanges.

From Los Angeles Times

His intemperate public remarks sparked international outrage, creating crises his subordinates were forced to repair.

From Salon

"While dominant individuals may show disciplining actions toward their subordinates, as macaques do naturally, these actions in the macaque society 'differ from human abuses'," it said.

From Barron's

Xi’s last remaining subordinate on the Central Military Commission is a career political officer with limited operational experience.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aide
• assistant
• deputy
• servant
• underling