Meaning & use
subordinate
A person who works under the authority or direction of someone of higher rank.
See it in a sentence
The manager praised her subordinates for meeting the tight deadline.
A good leader listens carefully to the concerns of their subordinates.
A note on using this word
As an adjective, subordinate means lower in rank or importance, as in "a subordinate clause" in grammar.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Lower in rank, power, or importance than someone or something else.
In the sentence, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete idea.
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