noun
- An assistant subject to the authority or control of another.
- synonyms: subsidiary, underling, foot soldier
- A word that is more specific than a given word.
- synonyms: hyponym, subordinate word
verb
- Rank or order as less important or consider of less value.
- usage: "Art is sometimes subordinated to Science in these schools"
- Make subordinate, dependent, or subservient.
- usage: "Our wishes have to be subordinated to that of our ruler"
- synonyms: subdue
adjective
- Lower in rank or importance.
- synonyms: low-level
- Subject or submissive to authority or the control of another.
- usage: "a subordinate kingdom"
- Of a clause. ( unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence)
- usage: "a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence"
- synonyms: dependent
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
| APA | WordNet. (2010). subordinate. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/subordinate/definitions/1184652 |
| Chicago | WordNet. 2010. "subordinate" http://smartdefine.org/subordinate/definitions/1184652 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | WordNet 2010, subordinate, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/subordinate/definitions/1184652>. |
| MLA | WordNet. "subordinate" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/subordinate/definitions/1184652> |