Word
subset
Phoneticssub·set, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəbˌsɛt/
UK/sˈʌbsɛt/
Definitions
01a smaller group
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a group of things or people that are all part of a bigger group.
n. a group of items or individuals that form a specific part of a larger collection or population.
“The survey focused on a small subset of the population living in rural areas.”
“While the policy affects all employees, a specific subset of part-time staff will receive additional benefits under the new contract.”
Antonyms
02mathematical set
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. a set where every member is also a member of another set.
n. a set A such that every element of A is also an element of a set B.
“In math, the set of even numbers is a subset of all whole numbers.”
“The proof requires us to demonstrate that set X is a proper subset of set Y, meaning it contains some but not all of Y's elements.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to extract a part
C1 · Advanced Computing Technical
v. to choose or take a smaller part from a larger group of data.
v. to extract or isolate a specific portion of a larger dataset or digital resource.
“We need to subset the data to look only at customers who joined this year.”
“The software allows users to subset the original font file, including only the characters necessary for the specific document to reduce file size.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a dataset or file.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “subset” in context.
Noun
01. subset of
“The researchers analyzed a specific subset of the population to understand the local impact of the policy.”
noun + prep
Real-World Examples
“The second says a company's beliefs are a simple function of the beliefs of its members or some subset of them.” “They reflect a subset of experiences that may not match your own situation.” Etymology
From sub- + set.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/subset