Subscriber
/səbˈskraɪbər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who agrees to receive something, typically a publication or service, regularly, often by paying in advance.
/səbˈskraɪbər/
A person who receives something regularly, usually for a fee.
As a subscriber, you'll receive the magazine every month.
💡 Simply: Imagine you sign up to get your favorite comic book delivered every month. You're a subscriber! It's someone who pays to get something regularly, like a magazine, a streaming service, or even a newspaper.
👶 For kids: A subscriber is someone who pays to get something special every so often, like a book or a show.
More Examples
The news website offers exclusive content to its subscribers.
The concert sold out quickly, leaving many potential subscribers disappointed.
How It's Used
"The magazine has a large subscriber base."
"The internet service provider has thousands of subscribers."
A person who agrees to purchase shares or bonds offered by a company or organization.
/səbˈskraɪbər/
A person who subscribes to a financial offering.
The fund had many subscribers who invested in the new venture.
💡 Simply: When a company needs money, they might offer to sell you a small piece of their company (shares) or let you lend them money (bonds). If you buy these, you're a subscriber!
👶 For kids: When grown-ups buy something to help a company get some money, they are a subscriber.
More Examples
The initial public offering (IPO) attracted many subscribers.
Institutional subscribers are often large investment firms.
How It's Used
"The company sought new subscribers to their bond offering."
Synonyms
Customer
Member
Patron
Recipient
Buyer
Investor
Purchaser
Idioms & expressions
subscriber agreement
A contract between a service provider and a subscriber outlining terms of service and fees.
"The subscriber agreement details the terms of service for the internet plan."
subscriber base
The total number of subscribers to a particular service or publication.
"The magazine is proud of its growing subscriber base."
From Middle French *scriber* (to write) and *sub-* (under), signifying one who signs their name at the bottom of a document (subscription).
The term 'subscriber' was used to describe those who paid for a newspaper or journal in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of signing UNDER a contract to RECEIVE something.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: scribere