subscribe

verb

sub·​scribe səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce subscribe (audio)
subscribed; subscribing; subscribes

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
Subscribe now and get your first issue free.
And you can listen to this show anytime by subscribing to our podcast.TED Radio Hour
also : to receive or have access to something (such as a periodical or service) as part of an arrangement to receive a certain number of regular deliveries or a certain period of continuous access especially by prepayment
the number of people who currently subscribe to the magazine/site
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
subscriber noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web This deal is available only for new Hulu customers or past users who haven't been subscribed in the past month. Parker Hall, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023 Be sure to comment and, most importantly, like and subscribe. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023 The average daily number of subscribing members excluding individuals with trial memberships for the quarter was 106.9 million, compared to 100.2 million for the same period in 2022 and 110.7 million for the second quarter in 2023. Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023 For more on Operation Surf, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here. Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023 Get the latest cases ripped from the headlines sent directly to your email, by subscribing here. Fox News Staff, Fox News, 10 Nov. 2023 The company will ask adult users in the countries where this feature is available to choose either to subscribe or to use its products for free. Richard Lawler, The Verge, 10 Nov. 2023 That amounts to less than 1 percent of users and no more than $120 million in annual revenue, not including app store fees from people who subscribe through Apple or Google. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 26 Oct. 2023 Go ad-free with the Disney Duo Premium with Hulu and Disney+ for $19.99 per month — both packages are nearly 40 percent off compared to subscribing individually. Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subscribe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subscribe was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subscribe

Cite this Entry

“Subscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subscribe. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

subscribe

verb
sub·​scribe səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce subscribe (audio)
subscribed; subscribing
1
: to make known one's approval by or as if by signing
we subscribe to your plan
2
: to agree to give or contribute by signing one's name with the amount promised
subscribe fifty dollars to the fund
3
a
: to enter one's name for a publication or service
b
: to receive a periodical or service regularly on order
4
: to feel favorably inclined
I subscribe to your sentiments
subscriber noun

Legal Definition

subscribe

verb
sub·​scribe səb-ˈskrīb How to pronounce subscribe (audio)
subscribed; subscribing

transitive verb

1
: to write (one's name) underneath or at the end of a document
we now subscribe our names as witnessesW. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
2
a
: to sign (as a document) with one's own hand in token of consent, obligation, or attestation
such witnesses shall subscribe the will in the presence of the testatorWest Virginia Code
b
: to pledge (a gift or contribution) by writing one's name with the amount
c
: to sell (stock) by subscription
over two million shares have been subscribed

intransitive verb

1
: to sign one's name to a document
also : to give consent or approval by signing one's name
2
: to agree to purchase and pay for securities especially of a new offering
a right to subscribe to a share of stockD. Q. Posin
subscriber noun
Etymology

Latin subscribere, literally, to write beneath, from sub- under + scribere to write

More from Merriam-Webster on subscribe

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