English Reference
noun · adjective

subconscious

n. · adj.
US /səbˈkɑnʃəs/ UK /sʌbkˈɒnʃəs/ sub·con·scious UK spelling subconsciouses

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

    n.the part of your mind that you are not aware of, but which influences your feelings and how you act.

    n.the part of the psyche that operates below the threshold of conscious awareness. Uncountable in this sense and typically used with the definite article.

    Simple

    He didn't know why he felt afraid, but something in his subconscious was bothering him.

    In context

    Psychologists suggest that dreams are a window into the subconscious, revealing desires and fears that we do not acknowledge during our waking hours.

    conscious mind
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

    adj.describes a feeling or thought that you have without realizing it.

    adj.relating to or being part of the mental activities that occur without the individual's conscious perception.

    Simple

    She had a subconscious habit of tapping her pen when she was nervous.

    In context

    The marketing campaign was designed to trigger a subconscious association between the brand and a sense of luxury.

But Edney says the sequestering issue allowed the “potential for communication or even subconscious influence” on the jury.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

Through journaling and reading, Hannah began noticing the subconscious patterns she’d been repeating since childhood.

The Conversation· 31 Jul 2026

From sub- + conscious.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated