Understanding Words with the Prefix “Sub-“

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. One common prefix is sub-, which means under, below, or less than. When you add sub- to a word, it often means something that is located under or is smaller or less important than something else.

Rule: The prefix “sub-” means “under,” “below,” or “less than.”

Knowing that sub- means under or less than helps you understand the meaning of many words. For example, if you know that sub- means “under,” then the word submarine means something that operates under the sea.

Examples of Words with the Prefix “Sub-“

  1. Submarine
  • Meaning: A vehicle that moves under the water.
  • Example: “The submarine explored the ocean depths.”
  1. Subway
  • Meaning: An underground train system.
  • Example: “We took the subway to get across the city quickly.”
  1. Subzero
  • Meaning: Temperatures that are below zero degrees.
  • Example: “The temperature outside was subzero during the winter storm.”
  1. Subheading
  • Meaning: A smaller heading under the main heading in a text.
  • Example: “The subheading gave more details about the main topic.”
  1. Substitute
  • Meaning: A person or thing that takes the place of something else (less than the original).
  • Example: “We had a substitute teacher while our regular teacher was away.”

Tips & Tricks

  • Sub- often means something is below or under something else.
  • It can also mean less than or secondary in importance.
  • Look for words with sub- when you are reading, and try to think about how the meaning relates to being “under” or “less.”

Common Words with “Sub-“

  • Submerge: To go under the surface of water.
  • Substandard: Something that is below the usual standard or quality.
  • Subdivide: To divide something into smaller parts.
  • Subcontinent: A large part of a continent but smaller than the main part.
  • Subconscious: Thoughts or feelings that are below the level of conscious awareness.

Questions for Students

Easy Difficulty (20 Questions)

  1. What does the prefix sub- mean?
  2. What does submarine mean?
  3. Fill in the blank: “The diver went __ the water.”
  4. What does subway mean?
  5. Fill in the blank: “It was so cold, the temperature was __ zero.”
  6. What does substitute mean?
  7. What does subheading mean?
  8. Fill in the blank: “The animal was hidden __ the surface.”
  9. What does subzero mean?
  10. What does subdivide mean?
  11. Fill in the blank: “The subheading helped explain the main topic.”
  12. What does subcontinent mean?
  13. Fill in the blank: “The students were taught by a __ teacher.”
  14. What does submerge mean?
  15. Fill in the blank: “The small boat was quickly __ by the water.”
  16. What does substandard mean?
  17. What does subconscious mean?
  18. Fill in the blank: “The runner’s time was __ the average speed.”
  19. What does subdue mean?
  20. Fill in the blank: “The submarine traveled deep __ the ocean.”

Medium Difficulty (20 Questions)

  1. What is the meaning of submerge?
  2. Fill in the blank: “A train system that runs underground is called a __.”
  3. What does subdivide mean in relation to land?
  4. What does substandard mean in terms of quality?
  5. Fill in the blank: “A temperature below freezing is called __.”
  6. What does subconscious refer to in psychology?
  7. What is the meaning of subheading in a book?
  8. Fill in the blank: “A vehicle that moves underwater is called a __.”
  9. What does subcontinent mean in geography?
  10. What does substitute mean in sports?
  11. Fill in the blank: “An subdivision divides a large piece of land into __ parts.”
  12. What does subdue mean in terms of controlling something?
  13. Fill in the blank: “The subconscious mind controls thoughts __ the surface of awareness.”
  14. What is the meaning of substandard in school performance?
  15. What does subzero mean in weather reports?
  16. Fill in the blank: “A substitute player takes the place of a __ player.”
  17. What is the meaning of subheading in an article?
  18. What does submerge mean when talking about objects?
  19. Fill in the blank: “The subcontinent of India is __ of Asia.”
  20. What does submarine mean in military terms?

High Difficulty (20 Questions)

  1. Explain the meaning of subconscious in relation to dreams.
  2. What is the difference between substandard and standard?
  3. Fill in the blank: “A __ issue is one that is of less importance.”
  4. What does subdivide mean in terms of managing large tasks?
  5. What does subcontinent mean, and give an example.
  6. Fill in the blank: “A subzero temperature is one that is __ freezing.”
  7. Explain how a substitute can be used in a classroom and in a sports game.
  8. What does subdue mean in relation to controlling emotions?
  9. Fill in the blank: “The ship was __ by the weight of the cargo.”
  10. What is the difference between submerge and emerge?
  11. What does subconscious mean in terms of automatic behavior?
  12. Fill in the blank: “If a building’s quality is substandard, it is __ expectations.”
  13. What does suburban mean in terms of location?
  14. Explain how subheading helps organize information in an essay.
  15. What does subatomic mean in relation to science?
  16. Fill in the blank: “A substitute teacher is __ the regular teacher.”
  17. What is the meaning of subtropical in terms of climate?
  18. Fill in the blank: “The subconscious mind operates __ our conscious awareness.”
  19. Explain how a submarine operates and its importance.
  20. What does subdivision mean in relation to organizing land or property?