Subordinate definition

sə-bôrdn-ĭt
subordinated subordinates subordinating
See word origin
Frequency:
Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary.
adjective
15
6
To put in a lower or inferior rank or class.
verb
9
2
Subject to the authority or control of another.
adjective
8
2
One that is subordinate.
noun
14
9
To make subservient; subdue.
verb
4
1
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Inferior to or placed below another in rank, power, importance, etc.; secondary.
adjective
4
1
(gram.) Having the function of a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

A subordinate clause.

adjective
4
1
The definition of subordinate is someone who is lower in rank to another or subject to another's control.

An example of subordinate is an army private who is under command of a general.

adjective
3
1
Under the power or authority of another.
adjective
3
1
To place in a subordinate position; treat as less important or inferior (to)
verb
3
1
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To make obedient or subservient (to); control; subdue.
verb
3
1
(one who is subordinate): boss, commander, leader, manager, superior, supervisor.
2
0
Subservient or submissive.
adjective
3
2
A subordinate person or thing.
noun
2
1
Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
adjective
1
0
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Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
adjective
1
0
(grammar, of a clause, not comparable) Dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause.

In the sentence, “The barbecue finished before John arrived", the subordinate clause “before John arrived" specifies the time of the main clause, “The barbecue finished".

adjective
1
0
(countable) One who is subordinate.
noun
1
0
To make subservient.
verb
1
0
To treat as of less value or importance.
verb
1
0
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(finance) To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.
verb
0
0

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
subordinate
Plural:
subordinates

Origin of subordinate

  • Middle English subordinat from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus past participle of subōrdināre to put in a lower rank Latin sub- sub- Latin ōrdināre to set in order (from ōrdō ōrdin- order ar- in Indo-European roots)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Subordinate Sentence Examples

  • He put on the air of a subordinate who obeys without reasoning.

  • The authorship of the epistles is in many cases a matter of subordinate importance; at least for Protestants or for those surrendering Bible infallibility, which Rome can hardly do.

  • I consider myself fortunate to have such a subordinate by me.

  • Much has been done of late years to make these subordinate standards of reformed doctrine more generally known.

  • The subordinate standards have been numerous, though marked by striking agreement in the main body of Christian doctrine which they set forth.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near subordinate in the Dictionary