sub-
Prefix meaning under
Sub- is a prefix meaning under, below, or beneath: submarine, subterranean, subconscious.
It extends to lesser or secondary status: subcommittee, subplot, subspecies.
Sub- can indicate incomplete or partial versions: substandard, suboptimal.
In chemistry and mathematics, it marks lower quantities or positions.
The prefix sometimes reduces to sus- or suc- before certain consonants: suspect, succumb.
Beneath earth's surface
- subsoilEarth layer below surface
- subwayUnderground transit passage
- subfloorBase beneath finished flooring
- subaquaticUnder the water
subcutaneous · subbasement · sublevel · subgrade · subsurface · subtopic · subheading · subsection
One lower in rank
- subcommitteeSubset of larger panel
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- subcontractorHired by the hirer
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
subgroup · subcategory · subclass · subspecies · subunit · subbranch · subgenre · subfield
Below required quality
- suboptimalBelow the ideal standard
- subnormalBelow typical levels
- subhumanBelow humanity's standard
- subliminalBelow threshold of awareness
subaverage · inferior · deficient · inadequate · lacking
Undersea warship from Germany
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- periscopeAngled optical viewing tube
- torpedoPropelled undersea explosive
- diveHeadfirst water entry
hull · conning tower · sonar · depth charge
Exchange of one for another
- subbingTemporary replacement duty
- submarinerSailor on underwater vessel
- subbedActed as replacement
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
backup · replacement · understudy · fill-in · proxy · surrogate · pinch-hitter · reserve
subterranean
Beneath earth's surface
- subsoilEarth layer below surface
- subwayUnderground transit passage
- subfloorBase beneath finished flooring
subaquatic · subcutaneous · subbasement · sublevel · subgrade · subsurface · subtopic · subheading · subsection · subcellar
subordinate
One lower in rank
- subcommitteeSubset of larger panel
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- subcontractorHired by the hirer
subdivision · subgroup · subcategory · subclass · subspecies · subunit · subbranch · subgenre · subfield · subagent
substandard
Below required quality
- suboptimalBelow the ideal standard
- subnormalBelow typical levels
- subhumanBelow humanity's standard
subliminal · subaverage · inferior · deficient · inadequate · lacking
U-boat
Undersea warship from Germany
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- periscopeAngled optical viewing tube
- torpedoPropelled undersea explosive
dive · hull · conning tower · sonar · depth charge
substitution
Exchange of one for another
- subbingTemporary replacement duty
- submarinerSailor on underwater vessel
- subbedActed as replacement
stand-in · backup · replacement · understudy · fill-in · proxy · surrogate · pinch-hitter · reserve · benchwarmer
hoagie
Long filled sandwich
- substitute teacherTemporary classroom replacement
- submarine sandwichLengthy filled bread roll
- sub inReplace temporarily
- sub sandwichLengthy filled bread roll
- nuclear submarineReactor-driven underwater warship
- pizza subHoagie with marinara and cheese
submit, sub, substance, substitute, suburb, subtract, submission, subprime, submarine