Subordinate
/səbˈɔːrdɪnət/
Definitions
3 meaningsLower in rank or position; subject to the control of another.
/səˈbɔːrdɪnət/
Lower in rank or position
The junior staff member was subordinate to the senior manager.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game and someone is in charge. The players who follow the leader's instructions are subordinate. They are not the boss, but they help the boss.
👶 For kids: Someone who is told what to do by a boss or someone in charge.
More Examples
She felt like a subordinate in her relationship with her controlling partner.
The subordinate clauses in a sentence depend on the main clause for their meaning.
How It's Used
"A subordinate employee reports to a manager."
"The subordinate officers followed the general's orders."
A person or thing that is lower in rank or position.
/səˈbɔːrdɪnət/
A person or thing under another's authority or control
The company recognized its subordinates' contributions during the yearly review.
💡 Simply: If you're on a team and you're not the leader, you're a subordinate. You have a boss or leader you report to.
👶 For kids: A person that has a boss.
More Examples
The subordinates were always respectful of their supervisor's decisions.
The general addressed the group of his subordinates.
How It's Used
"The manager addressed the entire team of subordinates."
"The general gave orders to his subordinates."
Regard or treat as of lesser importance than something else.
/səˈbɔːrdɪneɪt/
Treat or regard as of lesser importance
The company subordinated its profits to its employees' well-being.
💡 Simply: To decide that something is less important than something else. It means you choose to put something in a lower position or prioritize something else.
👶 For kids: To put something in a lower place.
More Examples
He subordinated his personal desires to his professional responsibilities.
The text subordinated historical context to the narrative flow.
How It's Used
"The government subordinated individual rights to national security."
"She felt that her needs were often subordinated to her partner's."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
subordinate clause
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.
"The sentence 'Because it was raining, we stayed inside' has a subordinate clause."
From Latin *subordinatus*, past participle of *subordinare* 'to place in order, arrange', from *sub* 'under' + *ordinare* 'to arrange'.
The word 'subordinate' has been used in English since the 15th century, initially referring to military ranks, then extending to general hierarchy and importance.
Memory tip
Think of a 'sub' sandwich – it's below the main course in terms of importance in a meal.
Word Origin
"to place in order, arrange"