ENGLISH
REFERENCE

subordinate

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //səˈbɔɹdəˌneɪt// sub·or·di·nate Academic

n. someone who has a lower position or less power than someone else in an organization. You usually use this word in a work context to describe people who report to a manager.

n. a person under the authority or control of another within a hierarchy. Often used in professional or military contexts to describe the relationship between a supervisor and their staff.


SIMPLE

The manager treats every subordinate with respect.

CONTEXTUAL

Effective leaders listen to the concerns of their subordinates to maintain high morale within the department.

COMPLEX

The organizational restructuring aimed to empower subordinates by decentralizing decision-making processes that were previously held exclusively by senior executives.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English subordinat, from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus, past participle of subōrdināre, from sub- + ōrdināre (“to order”).

Usage

Commonly used in formal management and military contexts; can sound cold or overly formal in casual office environments.

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