26984 words

sub

28 definitions • 37 examples
1
short for substitute: a sports player who is used for part of a game instead of another player:

Examples:

One of the players was injured during the match, so a sub was brought on.
2
short for substitute teacher: a teacher who replaces teachers who are absent from work:

Examples:

A trained teacher, he found work as a sub, which fitted around his other commitments.
3
short for sub-editor: a person who checks and makes changes to texts, especially for a newspaper, in order to prepare them to be published:

Examples:

Among the functions of a newspaper sub is to make sure that the page looks good.
4
short for submarine: a ship that can travel underwater:

Examples:

a nuclear sub
5
short for subscription: an amount of money that you pay regularly to be a member of an organization or club:

Examples:

Have you paid your tennis club sub yet?
6
short for submarine sandwich: a long, thin loaf of bread filled with meat or cheese, and often lettuce, tomatoes, etc.:

Examples:

a meatball sub
7
short for substitute: to play in a sports match in someone's place:

Examples:

Travis subbed for the injured defender.
8
short for substitute: to do a job temporarily when someone else cannot do it:

Examples:

As a young player, he subbed for Duke Ellington's drummer.
I subbed as a teacher for a semester.
9
short for substitute: to replace one player with another during a game:

Examples:

He was subbed in the match against Newcastle.
10
short for substitute: to use one thing instead of another:

Examples:

I didn't have any soured cream so I subbed Greek yoghurt.
He bought a moped last year, subbing the two-wheeler for the pickup she used to drive to work.
11
short for substitute: to not use something and use something else instead:

Examples:

The recipe called for vanilla essence and whole blanched almonds, which I didn’t have. I subbed them for a vanilla pod and almond flakes.
12
short for sub-edit: to check and make changes to a text, in order to prepare it for being printed:

Examples:

You might think that those who sub the magazine know their lords from their ladies - it should read Lord Olivier or Laurence Olivier, but never Lord Laurence Olivier.
13
short for sub-edit: to work as a sub-editor (= someone who checks and makes changes to texts, in order to prepare them for being printed):

Examples:

We worked together on the Guardian, where she subbed on the foreign desk.
14
to lend someone money until they can pay it back to you, for example when they get paid:

Examples:

If you can sub me the train fare, I'm in.
15
less than a number or level:

Examples:

Winter weather brought sub-zero (= less than 0 degrees) temperatures to much of the country.
smart TVs in the sub-$1000 price range
the first man to run a sub-4 minute mile
16
below or in a lower position:

Examples:

the subarctic
a sub-layer
17
almost or nearly:

Examples:

subtropical
18
being a smaller part of a larger whole:

Examples:

a subcontinent
to subdivide
19
not as good as:

Examples:

a sub-standard effort
The film is a sort of sub-Godfather mafia family tale.
20

Examples:

a sub-deacon
21
short form ofsubstitute teacher
22
short form ofsubmarine:

Examples:

a nuclear sub
23
short form ofsubmarine (sandwich)
24
to work as a substitute teacher:

Examples:

She subs at three schools.
25
→

Examples:

You can save up to £20 if you pay your subs by direct debit.
26
→

Examples:

There is a great need both for permanent teachers and subs.
27
payment that your employer gives you earlier than usual because you need money:

Examples:

I ran out of money on Thursday and had to ask my boss for a sub.
28
to pay an employee earlier than usual because they need money:

Examples:

He subbed him his wages because he had to buy a plane ticket.

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