Subordinate Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/səbˈɔrdɪnət/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person or thing that is under the power or control of another; a person or thing that owes obedience or allegiance to another.

Examples

• The subordinate officer in charge of the team.
• The company’s subsidiary is subordinate to the parent firm.

Synonyms

• Dependent
• Subservient
• Junior

Antonyms

• Superior
• Independent
• Autonomous

Additional Information

A subordinate is often held to have a lower status or authority than a superior. This can be seen in the use of language, where terms such as “employee” or “assistant” imply a subordinate relationship. In military or organizational hierarchies, a subordinate is often responsible for carrying out the orders of a superior. This relationship is not limited to human beings, as a subordinate unit or component can also be subordinate to a larger whole.

In addition, the term “subordinate” is often used to describe the relationship between a dependent clause or phrase and the main clause of a sentence. In this context, the subordinate clause is providing additional information that is not essential to the main purpose of the sentence.

Despite the connotations of subordination, the term is often used neutrally and does not necessarily imply powerlessness or subservience. In many cases, a subordinate is an important part of a larger whole, and plays a crucial role in its functioning.

Etimology

The word “subordinate” comes from the Latin “subordinatus”, which means “placed under or subject to”. This Latin term is derived from the prefix “sub-” meaning “under” and the verb “ordinare” meaning “to arrange” or “to place in order”. The term has evolved over time to include its modern connotations of power relationships, authority and dependence.

Usage Notes

The term “subordinate” is often used in formal or professional contexts, such as in business, government, or military settings. When used to describe a person, it is often used in a neutral or formal tone, without the connotations of inferiority or subservience.

Cultural References

The term “subordinate” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “The Office”, where the character Toby is referred to as a “subordinate” to the regional manager.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• subordinate to
• in a subordinate role
• at the behest of

Related Words or Phrases

• Superior
• Dependent
• Superstructure

Collocations

• subordinate team
• subordinate department
• subordinate clause

Frequency of Use

The term “subordinate” is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, particularly in business, government, and military settings. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the term appears approximately 2.5 times per million words.

Common Misspellings

• subordiant
• subordinet
• subordnate