placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.

of less importance; secondary.

subject to or under the authority of a superior.

subservient or inferior.

subject; dependent.

Grammar .

acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.

noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.

Obsolete . submissive.

a subordinate person or thing.

to place in a lower order or rank.

to make secondary (usually fol. by to )

to subordinate work to pleasure.

to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually fol. by to )

to subordinate passion to reason.

adjective

chief , important , major , necessary , superior , vital

noun

boss , chief , leader , major , manager , master , superior

adjective

accessory , adjuvant , ancillary , auxiliary , baser , below par , collateral , contributory , dependent , inferior , insignificant , junior , low , lower , minor , paltry , satellite , secondary , second-fiddle , second-string , smaller , sub , subaltern , subalternate , subject , submissive , subnormal , subservient , subsidiary , substract , tributary , under , underaverage , unequal , lesser , minor-league , petty , small , derivative , segmental , segmentary , servant , servile , subordinated , succursal , supplemental , tangential

noun

aide , assistant , attendant , dependent , deputy , flunky * , gofer * , helper , inferior , junior , peon , poor relation , scrub * , second , second fiddle * , second string , serf , servant , slave , subaltern , third string , underling , secondary , accessory , ancilla , ancillary , auxiliary , below , control , lesser , lower , minion , minor , parergon , satellite , satrap , subdue , subject , subordination , subserviency , subservient , subsidiary , supplementary , tributary , under , worker