Subscribe
/səbˈskraɪb/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo arrange to receive something, such as a magazine, service, or product, regularly by paying a fee.
/səbˈskraɪb/
To agree to receive something, typically a publication or service, regularly by paying in advance.
I subscribe to a monthly box of artisan cheeses.
💡 Simply: Imagine you really love a magazine or a streaming service! Subscribing is like saying, "I want this every month/week!" and paying to get it delivered or to watch shows whenever you want.
👶 For kids: To say you want to get something every day or week or month, like a toy or a book. You have to pay a little bit for it.
More Examples
They subscribed to the online course to improve their skills.
You need to subscribe to the premium plan to get all the features.
How It's Used
"I subscribe to the local newspaper."
"You can subscribe to our email newsletter for updates."
"She subscribes to several streaming services."
To express or state agreement with an opinion or belief.
/səbˈskraɪb/
To express agreement with an opinion or belief.
I subscribe to the idea that everyone deserves a second chance.
💡 Simply: Imagine you hear someone say something you totally agree with! Subscribing to something in this way means you completely agree and you support that idea.
👶 For kids: To say you agree with something that someone else says or thinks.
More Examples
We all subscribe to the principle of equal opportunity.
She subscribes to the philosophy of continuous self-improvement.
How It's Used
"I fully subscribe to his views on climate change."
"The authors subscribe to the theory of relativity."
To contribute a sum of money to a fund or charity.
/səbˈskraɪb/
To give money to help a charity.
The company subscribed a large amount to the relief fund after the disaster.
💡 Simply: When you subscribe to a charity, you're like saying, "I want to help!" and giving them money to help their cause.
👶 For kids: To give some money to help a good cause like helping animals.
More Examples
I subscribed a small donation to the environmental organization.
Many people subscribed to the fundraising effort.
How It's Used
"He subscribed a generous sum to the local hospital."
"Many businesses subscribed to the charity event."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
subscribe to the grapevine
To become aware of information through unofficial channels (rumors).
"He seemed to know everything; he must subscribe to the grapevine."
From Latin *subscribere* ('to write under'), from *sub* ('under') + *scribere* ('to write'). Originally meant to sign one's name at the bottom of a document, later evolving to mean to agree to receive something regularly.
The word's initial usage in the 17th century pertained to signing one's name to a document and accepting its terms. The current meaning emerged over time, gaining prevalence in media and service contexts by the 19th and 20th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of writing your name (scribe) *under* a contract to receive something regularly.
Word Origin
"to write under"