Meaning & use
subscripts
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“subscripts” is a form of “subscript”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
Small letters or numbers written slightly below the line of normal text, used in formulas and mathematics.
Grammar: Plural of subscript: several small characters, not one.
Patterns
- subscripts in something
- subscripts after something
The subscripts in a chemical formula show how many atoms are present.
In H2O the 2 is one of the subscripts.
Use subscripts to label each variable in the equation.
Common combinations
- use subscripts
- Use subscripts for the number of atoms.
- numerical subscripts
- Numerical subscripts label each term in the sequence.
- add subscripts
- Add subscripts to separate the variables.
- subscripts and superscripts
- Subscripts and superscripts are both used in formulas.
Synonyms and how they differ
- indices
- Indices is a mathematical term for numbers used to label elements, often written as subscripts.
- index numbers
- Index numbers describe the purpose of the label, whereas subscripts describes where it sits on the line.
- inferior characters
- Inferior characters is a rare printing term for the same lowered characters.
Opposites
Word family
- subscript noun
- one small lowered character
- superscript noun
- a small raised character
- script noun
- writing or handwriting
Commonly confused: subscripts or subscriptions?
subscripts vs subscriptions
Subscriptions are regular payments for a service; subscripts are small characters in writing.
Practice
In the chemical formula CO2, the number 2 is written as one of the ___.
Choose one answer.
The 2 sits below the line, so it is a subscript. A superscript sits above the line.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “subscripts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.