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subordinatelower in rank or position; of less importance

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: lower in rank or position; of less importance

Pronunciation (IPA): /səˈbɔːrdɪnət/

Example Sentences

  • The intern realized his subordinate status when he was asked to fetch coffee for the entire board meeting.
  • In the military, soldiers must follow orders from their superiors and show respect to subordinates.
  • She refused to subordinate her dreams to her parents' expectations.

subordinate

ADJECTIVE

[/səˈbɔːrdɪnət/]

lower in rank or position; of less importance

The manager assigns tasks to her subordinate before the morning meeting.
💡 Concept

The manager assigns tasks to her subordinate before the morning meeting.

The subordinate tries to coordinate, but the boss makes inordinate demands!
🎵 Rhyme

The subordinate tries to coordinate, but the boss makes inordinate demands!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/səˈbɔːrdɪnət/
🇬🇧 UK/səˈbɔːdɪnət/

🌳Etymology

Prefixsub--
Rootordin
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin 'subordinatus', past participle of 'subordinare', meaning 'to place in a lower order'. Composed of 'sub-' (under) and 'ordinare' (to order, arrange).

Breakdown

sub- (under) + ordin- (order, rank) + -ate (verb/adjective suffix) = subordinate

🎵Rhyme

coordinateordinateinordinate
coordinate
ordinate
inordinate

🔗Collocations

subordinate clause
subordinate role
subordinate position
direct subordinates
subordinate to someone
subordinate one's interests

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The intern realized his subordinate status when he was asked to fetch coffee for the entire board meeting.

In the military, soldiers must follow orders from their superiors and show respect to subordinates.

She refused to subordinate her dreams to her parents' expectations.

😄 Fun example

The cat clearly considered the dog a subordinate species, despite being half its size.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

inferiorjuniorsecondarydependentsubsidiary

Antonyms

superiordominantprimary

Related

hierarchyrankauthoritycoordinatesubmit

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