Word
subscribe
Phoneticssub·scribe, stress on the second syllable
US/səbsˈkɹaɪb/
UK/səbskɹˈaɪb/
Definitions
01to pay for a service
B1 · Intermediate
v. to pay money regularly to receive a service, like a magazine, a gym membership, or a streaming app.
v. to arrange for the regular receipt of a publication or service by paying in advance.
“I decided to subscribe to a monthly meal kit service to save time on cooking.”
“The household opted to subscribe to several premium streaming platforms rather than maintaining a traditional cable television package.”
Usage
usually takes the preposition 'to' before the service name.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to follow online
B1 · Intermediate Computing
v. to sign up for notifications or updates from a person or channel on social media.
v. to register for electronic notifications regarding new content or events from a specific creator or platform.
“Don't forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss a new video.”
“Users who subscribe to the newsletter receive early access to product launches and exclusive discount codes.”
Usage
often used without a preposition in digital contexts like 'subscribe to the channel'.
Antonyms
03to agree with an idea
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to believe in or agree with a particular theory, opinion, or way of thinking.
v. to give one's consent or approval to an idea, theory, or philosophy.
“I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea that money always brings happiness.”
“While many economists subscribe to this growth model, others argue that it fails to account for environmental degradation.”
Usage
almost always used with 'to'.
04to buy shares
C1 · Advanced Business Formal · Technical
v. to promise to buy shares in a company or give money to a specific fund.
v. to apply for or agree to purchase a specific number of shares in a new issue; to pledge a financial contribution.
“Investors were eager to subscribe to the new tech company's stock offering.”
“The investment bank invited institutional clients to subscribe to the bond issue before it opened to the general public.”
Usage
often used in the context of initial public offerings (IPOs).
05to sign a document
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Archaic
v. to write your name at the bottom of a formal paper to show you agree with it.
v. to sign one's name at the end of a document as a token of consent, attestation, or witness.
“The witnesses were asked to subscribe their names to the will.”
“The charter was duly subscribed by the governors in the presence of a public notary.”
Teaching tip
This is the original literal meaning (sub- 'under' + scribe 'write'), but it is rarely used in modern speech outside of legal contexts.
Etymology
From Middle English subscriben, subskryben, from Latin subscrībere. Compare its native English equivalent underwrite.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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