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Definition of subordinate adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

subordinate

adjective
 
/səˈbɔːdɪnət/
 
/səˈbɔːrdɪnət/
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  1. subordinate (to somebody) having less power or authority than somebody else in a group or an organization
    • In some societies women are still subordinate to men.
    • She was directly subordinate to the president.
    • The monarch is formally subordinate to Parliament.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • become
    • remain
    • …
    adverb
    • completely
    • wholly
    • essentially
    • …
    preposition
    • to
    See full entry
  2. subordinate (to something) less important than something else synonym secondary
    • All other issues are subordinate to this one.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • become
    • remain
    • …
    adverb
    • completely
    • wholly
    • essentially
    • …
    preposition
    • to
    See full entry
    3. Word Originlate Middle English: from medieval Latin subordinatus ‘placed in an inferior rank’, from Latin sub- ‘below’ + ordinare ‘ordain’.
See subordinate in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee subordinate in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: subordinate

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