# subconscious

/səbˈkɑnʃəs/ (US) · /sʌbkˈɒnʃəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/subconscious
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the hidden part of the mind

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- He didn't know why he felt afraid, but something in his subconscious was bothering him.
- Psychologists suggest that dreams are a window into the subconscious, revealing desires and fears that we do not acknowledge during our waking hours.

### 2. not consciously aware

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- She had a subconscious habit of tapping her pen when she was nervous.
- The marketing campaign was designed to trigger a subconscious association between the brand and a sense of luxury.

## Examples

- My fear of dogs might come from a memory hidden in my subconscious.
- Even though she smiled and agreed with the plan, her subconscious was already looking for a way to escape the commitment.
- Dreams are often interpreted as messages from the subconscious, revealing deep-seated anxieties and desires that the waking mind actively suppresses to maintain emotional stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.