Definition of SUBORDINATE

subordinate

Meanings

Plural: subordinates

Noun

  • an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
  • a word that is more specific than a given word
  • One who is subordinate.
  • A hyponym.

Verb

  • rank or order as less important or consider of less value
    • "Art is sometimes subordinated to Science in these schools"
  • make subordinate, dependent, or subservient
    • "Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler"
  • To make subservient or secondary.
  • To embed (a clause) into another clause that is the main one.
  • To make subservient or secondary.
  • To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.
  • To treat (someone) as of less value or importance.

Adjective

  • lower in rank or importance
  • subject or submissive to authority or the control of another
    • "a subordinate kingdom"
  • (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence
    • "a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence"

Adj

  • Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
  • Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by authority.
  • dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
  • Descending in a regular series.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (“to order”).

Synonyms

belittle, denigrate, dependent, foot soldier, hyponym, inferior, junior, lesser, low-level, report, subaltern, subdue, subordinate word, subsidiary, underling, understrapper

Scrabble Score: 14

subordinate is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
subordinate is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
subordinate is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

subordinate is a valid Words With Friends word