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subject
/ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/
a person or thing that is being discussed or studied
The main subject of the documentary was climate change.
Climate change was the central focus of the documentary.
general
a person or thing that is being discussed, studied, or dealt with
The subject of the meeting was employee satisfaction.
The meeting focused on discussing how satisfied employees were.
Commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
Academic
a branch of knowledge studied or taught in a school or university
She majored in English literature as her subject.
She chose English literature as her main academic focus.
Often used in educational contexts to refer to a specific area of study.
Law
formal
a person who is under the authority or control of another
The king ruled over his subjects with an iron fist.
The king governed his people strictly and harshly.
Used in historical or political contexts to describe subordination.
Collocations
subject toliable to or dependent on somethingsubject matterthe main topic or content of something
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'subject' varies based on context—academic, legal, or general discussion.
Gold Rule
Avoid Confusion
Do not confuse 'subject' (topic/person) with 'object' (thing being acted upon).
Word Origin
From Old French 'subjet,' from Latin 'subiectum,' meaning 'that which is thrown under,' from 'subicere' (to place under).
Usage Notes
The word 'subject' can refer to a topic of discussion, a branch of study, or a person under authority. Context determines its precise meaning.
Word Breakdown
sub-
under
prefix-ject
to throw
root-um
thing
suffixEnglish Dictionary