sub

1 of 5

noun (1)

sub

2 of 5

verb

subbed; subbing

intransitive verb

: to act as a substitute

transitive verb

1
British : to read and edit as a copy editor : subedit
2

sub

3 of 5

noun (2)

sub

4 of 5

abbreviation

1
subaltern
2
subscription
3
subsidiary
4
suburb

sub-

5 of 5

prefix

1
: under : beneath : below
subsoil
subaqueous
2
a
: subordinate : secondary : next lower than or inferior to
substation
subeditor
b
: subordinate portion of : subdivision of
subcommittee
subspecies
c
: 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
4
a
: almost : nearly
suberect
b
: falling nearly in the category of and often adjoining : bordering on
subarctic

Examples of sub in a Sentence

Noun (1) we had a sub in English today, so we didn't get our test results back Verb Smith subbed for Jones at halftime. subbing in a Broadway play Smith subbed Jones at halftime. Noun (2) we shared a tuna sub at lunch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Beloved veterans Hodge and Sharp bring a bottomless well of warmth and affection to Pete and Peggy, and casting glam/nu disco star Shears as a seasoned sub was an inspired choice. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025 Squishmallow’s on sale at a Fred Meyer grocery store, a sub of Kroger. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Verb
Even worse, the only salmon for sale with the butcher counter closed is a $50 whole side of salmon—leaving me to sub in some pretty inexpensive pork chops instead, five chops for a mere $5. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 May 2025 Cook County Judge Angela Petrone ordered the juror, who appeared to recover, excused and subbed in one of the alternates. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sub

Word History

Etymology

Prefix

Middle English, from Latin, under, below, secretly, from below, near, from sub under, close to — more at up

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1777, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sub was in 1777

Cite this Entry

“Sub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sub. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

sub

1 of 4 noun

sub

2 of 4 verb
subbed; subbing
: to act as a substitute

sub

3 of 4 noun

sub-

4 of 4 prefix
1
: under : beneath : below
subsoil
subfreezing
2
a
: being at a lower rank or secondary level
substation
b
: division or lesser part of
subcommittee
subtopic
c
: involving a secondary stage or process
sublet
subcontract
3
: less than completely, perfectly, or typically : somewhat
subdominant
4
: bordering upon
subarctic
Etymology

Prefix

from Latin sub- "under, below"

Legal Definition

sub-

prefix
1
: under : beneath : below
substandard
2
a
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on sub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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