Word
subspecies
Phoneticssub·species
UK/sˈʌbspiːsˌiːz/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a group of animals or plants that are similar to their main species but have some small physical or behavioral differences. They usually live in a specific area.
n. a taxonomic rank below species, consisting of organisms that are closely related and share common characteristics but are distinct from other groups within the same species.
Examples
“The polar bear is a subspecies of the brown bear.”
“Scientists identified a new subspecies of the local bird after observing its unique nesting habits in the high mountains.”
“While the two populations appear identical to the naked eye, genetic testing revealed that they are actually two distinct subspecies that diverged thousands of years ago due to geographic isolation.”
Examples
simple
“The polar bear is a subspecies of the brown bear.”
contextual
“Scientists identified a new subspecies of the local bird after observing its unique nesting habits in the high mountains.”
complex
“While the two populations appear identical to the naked eye, genetic testing revealed that they are actually two distinct subspecies that diverged thousands of years ago due to geographic isolation.”
Real-World Examples
“Nearly 40 percent of Mount Pinos, lodgepole chipmunk, an imperiled subspecies of the lodgepole chipmunk, also live in roadless areas in California.” “Thanks to their incredible expertise and assistance, the NHM team successfully sequenced the DNA directly from the historical type specimen of the Nepalese subspecies (aurita).” Etymology
From sub- + species.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/subspecies