Read the Latest from M-W
First Known Use of sub
1777
sub
Definition of sub
subbed
;subbing
intransitive verb
: to act as a substitute
transitive verb
1 British : to read and edit as a copy editor : subedit
2 : subcontract 1
Examples of sub in a Sentence
Smith subbed for Jones at halftime.
subbing in a Broadway play
Smith subbed Jones at halftime.
First Known Use of sub
1853
First Known Use of sub
1913
sub
Definition of sub
1 subaltern
2 subscription
3 subsidiary
4 suburb
Other Business Terms
sub-
Definition of sub-
1 : under : beneath : below subsoil subaqueous
2a : subordinate : secondary : next lower than or inferior to substation subeditorb : subordinate portion of : subdivision of subcommittee subspeciesc : with repetition (as of a process) so as to form, stress, or deal with subordinate parts or relations sublet subcontract
3 : less than completely, perfectly, or normally : somewhat subacute subclinical
4a : almost : nearly suberectb : falling nearly in the category of and often adjoining : bordering on subarctic
subadolescent
subagency
subagent
suballocation
Origin and Etymology of sub-
Middle English, from Latin, under, below, secretly, from below, near, from sub under, close to — more at up
SUB Defined for English Language Learners
sub
Definition of sub for English Language Learners
-
: to take the place of another person : to act as a substitute ( chiefly Brit )
sub-
Definition of sub- for English Language Learners
-
: under : beneath : below
-
: at a lower rank or secondary level
-
: division or smaller part of
SUB Defined for Kids
sub-
Definition of sub- for Students
1 : under : beneath : below submarine
2 : lower in importance or rank : lesser
3 : division or part of subset
Law Dictionary
sub-
Legal Definition of sub-
1 : under : beneath : below substandard
2a : subordinate : secondary : next lower than or inferior to subagent b : subordinate portion of : subdivision of subchapter subcommittee c : assigning to another by the same method sublicense subcontract
Learn More about sub
-
See words that rhyme with sub Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sub Spanish Central: Translation of sub Nglish: Translation of sub for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sub for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sub
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up sub? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!