subordinate

[suh-bawr-dn-it, 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)

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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Nestle has fired its chief executive after just one year in the job because he failed to disclose a "romantic relationship" with a "direct subordinate".

From BBC

He flexes his metatarsal bones to indicate where he wants a subordinate to sit.

From Salon

And they visited the home of one of his subordinates for questioning.

From Salon

In her claim, Crowley alleges Bass and her subordinates have conducted a “public smear campaign aimed at discrediting Crowley’s character and decades of service,” following her dismissal.

From Los Angeles Times

The report alleged that, by 2024, Corpus had “relinquished control” of the department to a subordinate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aide 
• assistant 
• deputy 
• servant 
• underling