sub
sub Lexical Profile
sub Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who temporarily stands in for another, especially a teacher or a sports player.
"The regular math teacher was sick, so a sub covered the class for the day."
A submersible watercraft designed to operate underwater; a submarine.
"The naval base maintains several nuclear-powered subs capable of deep-ocean missions."
North American A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats, cheese, and vegetables.
"We ordered a turkey and provolone sub for lunch from the deli down the street."
• verb
To act as a substitute for someone else, especially in an occupation or performance.
"She subbed for the lead actress who lost her voice right before the evening performance."
To replace one player or thing with another, often used with 'in' or 'out'.
"The coach subbed him out of the game after he sprained his ankle during a rough tackle."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a highly versatile clipping, 'sub' requires contextual clues to be understood, as it regularly refers to vastly different concepts like a submarine, a substitute teacher, a type of sandwich, or an online subscription.
• Rhymes for sub
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A common colloquial abbreviation that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a shortened form of words like 'substitute' (1830s), 'submarine' (1899), or 'subscription'. Ultimately derived from the Latin prefix 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'below'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.