subordinate

sub·or·di·nate

Use subordinate in a sentence

adjective

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.

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"subordinate." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE>.

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subordinate. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE

subordinate

inferior to or placed below another in rank, power, importance, etc.; secondary
under the power or authority of another
subservient or submissive
Gram. having the function of a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence: a subordinate clause

Origin of subordinate

Middle English from Medieval Latin subordinatus, past participle of subordinare from Classical Latin sub-, under + ordinare, to order: see ordain

a subordinate person or thing

transitive verb

-·nat·ed, -·nat·ing

to place in a subordinate position; treat as less important or inferior (to)
to make obedient or subservient (to); control; subdue

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MLA Style

"subordinate." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE>.

APA Style

subordinate. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE

subordinate

adjective

Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary.
Subject to the authority or control of another.

noun

One that is subordinate.

transitive verb

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

To put in a lower or inferior rank or class.
To make subservient; subdue.

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 ; see ar- in Indo-European roots.)

Related Forms:

sub·or′di·nate·ly
adverb

sub·or′di·nate·ness sub·or′di·na′tion
noun

sub·or′di·na′tive
adjective

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Cite this page

MLA Style

"subordinate." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 May 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE>.

APA Style

subordinate. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/SUBORDINATE

Adjective

(comparative more subordinate, superlative most subordinate)

Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by, authority.
(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".