Dictionary
sub-
prefix
: under : beneath : below
: at a lower rank or secondary level
: division or smaller part of
Full Definition of SUB-
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>
- sub·ad·o·les·cent
- sub·agen·cy
- sub·agent
- sub·al·lo·ca·tion
- sub·ar·ea
- sub·au·di·ble
- sub·av·er·age
- sub·base·ment
- sub·ba·sin
- sub·block
- sub·branch
- sub·caste
- sub·cat·e·go·ri·za·tion
- sub·cat·e·go·rize
- sub·cat·e·go·ry
- sub·ceil·ing
- sub·cel·lar
- sub·chap·ter
- sub·chief
- sub·clan
- sub·clus·ter
- sub·code
- sub·col·lec·tion
- sub·col·lege
- sub·col·le·giate
- sub·col·o·ny
- sub·com·mis·sion
- sub·com·po·nent
- sub·co·ri·a·ceous
- sub·coun·ty
- sub·cult
- sub·cu·ra·tive
- sub·dean
- sub·de·ci·sion
- sub·de·part·ment
- sub·de·vel·op·ment
- sub·di·a·lect
- sub·di·rec·tor
- sub·dis·ci·pline
- sub·dis·trict
- sub·econ·o·my
- sub·fac·ul·ty
- sub·file
- sub·frag·ment
- sub·frame
- sub·gen·er·a·tion
- sub·genre
- sub·goal
- sub·gov·ern·ment
- sub·hu·mid
- sub·in·dus·try
- sub·in·hib·i·to·ry
- sub·lan·guage
- sub·lev·el
- sub·li·brar·i·an
- sub·li·cense
- sub·lit·er·a·cy
- sub·lit·er·ate
- sub·lot
- sub·man·ag·er
- sub·mar·ket
- sub·max·i·mal
- sub·menu
- sub·min·i·mal
- sub·min·i·mum
- sub·min·is·ter
- sub·na·tion·al
- sub·net·work
- sub·niche
- sub·op·ti·mal
- sub·op·ti·mi·za·tion
- sub·op·ti·mize
- sub·op·ti·mum
- sub·or·ga·ni·za·tion
- sub·pan·el
- sub·par
- sub·para·graph
- sub·par·al·lel
- sub·part
- sub·pe·ri·od
- sub·phase
- sub·pri·mate
- sub·pro·cess
- sub·prod·uct
- sub·proj·ect
- sub·pro·le·tar·i·at
- sub·ra·tio·nal
- sub·sat·u·rat·ed
- sub·sat·u·ra·tion
- sub·scale
- sub·science
- sub·sea
- sub·sec·re·tary
- sub·sec·tor
- sub·seg·ment
- sub·sense
- sub·sen·tence
- sub·se·ries
- sub·site
- sub·skill
- sub·so·ci·ety
- sub·spe·cial·ist
- sub·spe·cial·ize
- sub·spe·cial·ty
- sub·state
- sub·stel·lar
- sub·sys·tem
- sub·task
- sub·test
- sub·theme
- sub·ther·a·peu·tic
- sub·top·ic
- sub·trea·sury
- sub·trend
- sub·tribe
- sub·type
- sub·unit
- sub·va·ri·ety
- sub·vas·sal
- sub·vis·i·ble
- sub·vi·su·al
- sub·world
- sub·writ·er
- sub·ze·ro
- sub·zone
See sub- defined for English-language learners
See sub- defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SUB-
Middle English, from Latin, under, below, secretly, from below, near, from sub under, close to — more at up
SUBSEGMENT Defined for Kids
sub-
prefix
Definition of SUB- for Kids
1
: under : beneath : below <submarine>
2
: lower in importance or rank : lesser
3
: division or part of <subset>
Medical Dictionary
sub-
prefix
Medical Definition of SUB-
1
: under : beneath : below <subaponeurotic>
2
: subordinate portion of : subdivision of <subspecies>
3
: less than completely or perfectly <subnormal>
Learn More About SUB-
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up sub-? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).