Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

subliminal

/sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.84 in modern English

Syllables
sub-li-min-al
IPA
/sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/
14
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of a stimulus, below the limen or threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response; also (generally), below the threshold where a response can be produced.

adj

Of a stimulus, below the limen or threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response; also (generally), below the threshold where a response can be produced.

adj

Without directed awareness or thought; subconscious (dated), unconscious.

noun

Chiefly preceded by the: something which is below the limen or threshold of conscious perception.

noun

Chiefly preceded by the: something which is below the limen or threshold of conscious perception.

noun

Chiefly preceded by the: the subconscious (dated) or unconscious self.

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub-der. English sub- English liminal English subliminal From sub- (“beneath, under”) + liminal (“of or pertaining to an entrance or threshold”) (from Latin līminālis, from līmen (“doorstep, threshold; doorway, entrance; beginning, commencement”); possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (“to bend, bow; elbow”)) + *-mn̥ (suffix forming action nouns or result nouns from verbs)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship from nouns)). The noun is derived from the adjective. The English word is a borrowing from German subliminal or a calque of German unterschwellig (“subliminal”, literally “beneath the threshold”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: līminālis, *Heh₃l-, subliminal

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/
  • British English: /sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/

Inflected Forms

more subliminal (comparative) most subliminal (superlative) sub-liminal (alternative, obsolete) subliminals (plural)

Derived Forms

sublime subliminality subliminalize subliminally

Frequently Paired Words

liminality liminary liminoid liminal

Synonyms

latent underthreshold

Antonyms

liminal superliminal

Rhymes With

noncriminal

Questions

How do you pronounce subliminal?
The recorded pronunciation is /sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/.
What does subliminal mean?
Of a stimulus, below the limen or threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response; also (generally), below the threshold where a response can be produced.
Where does subliminal come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce subliminal

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “subliminal”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “subliminal”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “subliminal” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.