subject Meaning & Definition
What Does Subject Mean?
As an adjective, subject means Likely to be affected by or to experience something; liable. It is also used to mean Conditional upon something; used with to. As a noun, it means The noun, pronoun or noun phrase about whom the statement is made. In active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject is the actor. In clauses in the passive voice the subject is the target of the action. As a verb, it means To cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.
Subject: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈsʌb.d͡ʒɛkt/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | content, subordinate and case |
| Plural | subjects |
| Comparative / superlative | more subject, most subject |
| Verb forms | subjects, subjecting, subjected |
Subject Definition (Adjective)
- Likely to be affected by or to experience something; liable.
a country subject to extreme heat
- Conditional upon something; used with to.
The local board sets local policy, subject to approval from the State Board.
- Placed or situated under; lying below, or in a lower situation.
- Placed under the power of another; owing allegiance to a particular sovereign or state.
Subject as a Noun
- The noun, pronoun or noun phrase about whom the statement is made. In active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject is the actor. In clauses in the passive voice the subject is the target of the action.
In the active sentence ‘The cat ate the mouse’, ‘the cat’ is the subject and ‘the mouse’ is the object.
- By extension: an actor or agent; one who takes action.
the subjects and objects of power
- The main topic of a paper, work of art, discussion, field of study, etc.
- A particular area of study.
Her favorite subject is physics.
- A citizen in a monarchy.
I am a British subject.
- A person ruled over by another, especially a monarch or state authority.
- The main theme or melody, especially in a fugue.
- A human, animal, or an inanimate object that is being examined, treated, analysed, etc; especially, one being studied in a scientific experiment, such as a clinical trial.
human subject research
- A being that has subjective experiences, subjective consciousness, or a relationship with another entity.
- That of which something is stated.
- A variable isolated on one side of an equality, expressed in terms of other variables.
Making x the subject of x2−6x+3y=0, we get x=3±9−3y.
Subject as a Verb
- To cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.
I came here to buy souvenirs, not to be subjected to a tirade of abuse!
- To make subordinate or subservient; to subdue or enslave; to subjugate.
Adjective
- Likely to be affected by or to experience something.
He's subject to sneezing fits.
- Conditional upon.
The local board sets local policy, subject to approval from the State Board.
Noun
- (grammar) In a clause: the word or word group (usually a noun phrase) that is dealt with. In active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject and the actor are usually the same.
In the sentence ‘The mouse is eaten by the cat in the kitchen.’, ‘The mouse’ is the subject, ‘the cat’ being the agent.
- An actor; one who takes action.
The subjects and objects of power.
- A human, animal or an inanimate object that is being examined, treated, analysed, etc.
- The variable in terms of which an expression is defined.
Making x the subject of x2 − 6x + 3y = 0, we have x = 3 ± √(9 − 3y).
Verb
- (construed with to) To cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.
I came here to buy souvenirs, not to be subjected to a tirade of abuse!
- To make subordinate or subservient; to subdue or enslave.
Synonyms of Subject
Subject in a Sentence
a country subject to extreme heat
Menu listings and prices are subject to change.
He's subject to sneezing fits.
The local board sets local policy, subject to approval from the State Board.
In the active sentence ‘The cat ate the mouse’, ‘the cat’ is the subject and ‘the mouse’ is the object.
In the passive sentence ‘the mouse was eaten by the cat’, ‘the mouse’ is the subject even though it is the target (patient) of the action, and ‘the cat’ is the agent.
the subjects and objects of power
Her favorite subject is physics.
I am a British subject.
human subject research
Making x the subject of x2−6x+3y=0, we get x=3±9−3y.
I came here to buy souvenirs, not to be subjected to a tirade of abuse!
In the sentence ‘The mouse is eaten by the cat in the kitchen.’, ‘The mouse’ is the subject, ‘the cat’ being the agent.
The subjects and objects of power.
Making x the subject of x2 − 6x + 3y = 0, we have x = 3 ± √(9 − 3y).
Word Forms & Grammar
subject (comparative more subject, superlative most subject)
subject (plural subjects)
subject (third-person singular simple present subjects, present participle subjecting, simple past and past participle subjected)
Words That Rhyme With Subject
Origin of Subject
Origin 1: From Middle English subget, from Old French suget, from Latin subiectus (“lying under or near, adjacent, also subject, exposed”), as a noun, subiectus (“a subject, an inferior”), subiectum (“the subject of a proposition”), past participle of subiciō (“throw, lay, place”), from sub (“under, at the foot of”) + iaciō (“throw, hurl”), as a calque of Ancient Greek ὑποκείμενον (hupokeímenon).
Origin 2: From Latin subiectus (“a subject, an inferior”), subiectum (“the subject of a proposition”), past participle of subiciō (“throw, lay, place”), from sub (“under, at the foot of”) + iaciō (“throw, hurl”).
Origin 3: From Medieval Latin subiectō, iterative of subiciō (“throw, lay, place”), from sub (“under, at the foot of”) + iaciō (“throw, hurl”).
Pronouncing Subject
You say subject as /ˈsʌb.d͡ʒɛkt/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (sʌb).
Common Questions About Subject
Is subject an adjective or a noun?
Subject is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for subject?
Words with a similar meaning to subject include content, subordinate and case. See the full list of subject synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of subject?
The plural of subject is subjects.
What is the past tense of subject?
The past tense of subject is subjected. The present participle is subjecting.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of subject?
The comparative form is more subject and the superlative form is most subject.