Definition of SUBSCRIBE

verb sub·scribe \ səb-ˈskrīb \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: subscribe in a Sentence

subscribed; subscribing

transitive verb

1 : to write (one's name) underneath : sign

2 a : to sign (something, such as a document) with one's own hand in token of consent or obligation

b : to attest by signing

c : to pledge (a gift or contribution) by writing one's name with the amount

3 : to assent to : support

intransitive verb

1 : to sign one's name to a document

2 a : to give consent or approval to something written by signing

unwilling to subscribe to the agreement

b : to set one's name to a paper in token of promise to give something (such as a sum of money); also : to give something in accordance with such a promise

c : to enter one's name for a publication or service; also : to receive a periodical or service regularly on order

subscribed to many magazines

d : to agree to purchase and pay for securities especially of a new offering

subscribed for 1000 shares

3 : to feel favorably disposed

I subscribe to your sentiments

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subscriber

noun

See subscribe defined for English-language learners

See subscribe defined for kids

Examples of subscribe in a Sentence

Subscribe today and get your first issue free!
You'll receive a user name and password when you subscribe.

Recent Examples of subscribe from the Web

Other celebrity red-hair transformations: Now check out 100 years of short hair: Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.

— andrea park, Allure, "Taylor Swift Has Red Hair Now and She Looks Totally Different," 7 June 2018
Click here to subscribe to his Ground Game newsletter on politics.

— james pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "Two decades later, Bill Clinton gets tripped up in a #MeToo rehash," 4 June 2018
Afterward, please share your thoughts, questions, and feedback with In the Limelight on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to In the Limelight on Apple Podcasts.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Breaking Down Kate, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte’s Unexpected Public Outing," 1 June 2018
This is a special edition of Game|Life, to follow the series go to video.wired.com or subscribe to our channel at youtube.com/WIRED.

— julie muncy, WIRED, "Xbox Is Losing the Console War—But That's a Good Thing," 31 May 2018
Support strong local journalism (and whatever this is) by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/lucasa.

— lucas aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Who parties harder: The Kentucky Derby Infield or Indy 500 Snake Pit?," 25 May 2018
Now, learn how to contour like a pro: Follow Kaleigh on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to Allure's newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Why Makeup Artists Say You Should Always Have Two Foundations in Your Kit," 25 May 2018
And, to receive every episode automatically in your inbox, subscribe to (and rate) the Billboard Chart Beat Podcast on iTunes!

— gary trust, Billboard, "Chart Beat Podcast: Ed Sheeran, Drake, Bruno Mars & More Are Hot 100's 2018 Stars So Far," 24 May 2018
Most Republicans have long subscribed to the idea that legal immigration is good.

— tara golshan, Vox, "The return of the DACA fight in Congress, explained," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subscribe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of subscribe

Middle English, from Latin subscribere, literally, to write beneath, from sub- + scribere to write — more at scribe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

subscribe Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of subscribe

assent, consent, accede, acquiesce, agree, subscribe mean to concur with what has been proposed. assent implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions.

- voters assented to the proposal

consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired.

- consented to their daughter's going

accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of assent or consent.

- officials acceded to the prisoners' demands

acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition.

- acquiesced to his boss's wishes

agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion.

- finally agreed to come along

subscribe implies not only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support.

- subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea

SUBSCRIBE Defined for English Language Learners

verb

: to pay money to get a publication or service regularly
: to agree to buy shares in a company
: to belong to or support something (such as an organization) by paying money regularly