# subscribe

/səbsˈkɹaɪb/ (US) · /səbskɹˈaɪb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/subscribe
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to pay for a service

verb · CEFR B1

to pay money regularly to receive a service, like a magazine, a gym membership, or a streaming app.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to follow online

verb · CEFR B1

to sign up for notifications or updates from a person or channel on social media.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. to agree with an idea

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to believe in or agree with a particular theory, opinion, or way of thinking.

For teachers: 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'.

### 4. to buy shares

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to promise to buy shares in a company or give money to a specific fund.

For teachers: 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).

### 5. to sign a document

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

to write your name at the bottom of a formal paper to show you agree with it.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I subscribe to a monthly cooking magazine.
- Many users choose to subscribe to the premium version of the app to avoid seeing advertisements.
- While many economists subscribe to the theory that lower taxes stimulate growth, others argue that public investment is the primary driver of long-term prosperity.

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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.