subliminal

adjective

sub·​lim·​i·​nal (ˌ)sə-ˈbli-mə-nᵊl 

1

: inadequate to produce a sensation or a perception

2

: existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness

the subliminal mind

subliminal advertising

subliminally adverb

Did you know?

Since the Latin word limen means "threshold", something subliminal exists just below the threshold of conscious awareness. The classic example of a subliminal message is "Eat popcorn" flashed on a movie screen so quickly that the audience doesn't even notice it consciously. Actually, no such advertising has ever been shown to work. But ordinary ads, both in print and on TV, do contain all kinds of images that shape our response to the product being advertised even when we don't realize it. Try looking carefully at some ads that you like, in order to discover how many ways they may be subliminally affecting you.

Examples of subliminal in a Sentence

The studio denied the existence of subliminal messages in the movie.

I am skeptical that subliminal advertising actually works.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the midst of the chaos of her name being thrown around, GloRilla fired off a subliminal tweet about a certain guy blowing up her phone, which many thought was about Thug. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025

Here, the affection is not romantic but familial, flowing in soft, subliminal waves between parents and their adult children. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025

The researchers called the strange effect subliminal learning. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025

Is this just a fun music video or subliminal mind prep for an upcoming era? —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

sub- + Latin limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subliminal

• noncriminal
• criminal
• liminal

Kids Definition

subliminal

adjective

sub·​lim·​i·​nal (ˌ)səb-ˈlim-ən-ᵊl 

ˈsəb-

1

: not strong enough to produce a sensation or a mental awareness

subliminal stimuli

2

: existing or functioning below the level of conscious awareness

the subliminal mind

subliminal advertising

subliminally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

subliminal

adjective

sub·​lim·​i·​nal (ˌ)səb-ˈlim-ən-ᵊl, ˈsəb- 

1

: inadequate to produce a sensation or a perception

2

: existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness

the subliminal mind

subliminal advertising

subliminally

-ē 

adverb