English Reference

Word

subconsciously

Phoneticssub·con·scious·ly

US/səbˈkɑnʃəsɫi/

UK/sʌbkˈɒnʃəsli/

Definition

adv. without being aware of it. You use this to describe things you do or feel automatically, even if you do not think about them.

adv. in a manner that is not consciously perceived or controlled. Often describes mental processes or physical actions that occur automatically.

Examples

“She subconsciously checks her phone every few minutes.”

“He subconsciously avoided the crowded areas of the city, though he could not explain why he felt uncomfortable there.”

“Psychologists suggest that people often subconsciously process vast amounts of sensory information, filtering out only the most relevant details to focus on their immediate goals.”

Examples

simple

“She subconsciously checks her phone every few minutes.”

contextual

“He subconsciously avoided the crowded areas of the city, though he could not explain why he felt uncomfortable there.”

complex

“Psychologists suggest that people often subconsciously process vast amounts of sensory information, filtering out only the most relevant details to focus on their immediate goals.”

Real-World Examples

“Consciously or subconsciously, our possessions become part of who we are.”
Phys.org · 18 Sept 2026
“What people react to is not the object itself, but what the brain subconsciously thinks the pattern might represent.”
Phys.org · 17 Sept 2026
“People use social cues from those they interact with, often subconsciously imitating others' behaviors or expressions, also known as mirroring.”
Phys.org · 19 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference