Subconscious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🧠

Add to dictionary

subconscious

[ˌsʌbˈkɒnʃəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mental process

The part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.

Synonyms

hidden self, inner self, unconscious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
subconscious	Use 'subconscious' to describe thoughts or feelings that influence behavior without being fully aware of them. It can be used in both psychological and everyday contexts. She had a subconscious fear of heights. His subconscious mind was working overtime.
unconscious	Use 'unconscious' to describe processes of the mind that occur without conscious awareness. It is often used in psychological contexts and sometimes can have a clinical connotation. The trauma was deeply buried in her unconscious. He was influenced by unconscious biases.
inner self	Use 'inner self' to refer to one's true nature or inner essence. This term often connotes self-discovery or spiritual journeys. Meditation helped her connect with her inner self. He felt that he was finally true to his inner self.
hidden self	Use 'hidden self' to talk about aspects of one's personality or emotions that are not visible to others. It often implies a deeper, more private layer of a person's identity. She revealed her hidden self during therapy sessions. Sometimes his hidden self would emerge in moments of stress.

Examples of usage

She believed that her subconscious was responsible for her fear of spiders.
His subconscious desire to impress others often led to self-doubt.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

psychological

Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.

Synonyms

latent, subliminal, unconscious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
subconscious	This word is used to describe thoughts and feelings that exist in the mind but are not actively thought about. It is often used in psychological contexts. Her subconscious mind was trying to tell her something important. Dreams can reveal our subconscious desires and fears.
unconscious	This word is used to describe a state in which a person is not awake and not aware of their surroundings, often due to injury or a medical condition. It can also refer to processes in the mind that are not within conscious awareness. He was knocked unconscious in the accident. Our unconscious mind can hold repressed memories and emotions.
subliminal	Typically used in the context of marketing and psychology, this word refers to messages or stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious awareness but can influence thoughts and behavior. Advertisers often use subliminal messages to influence consumer behavior. Subliminal cues can sometimes affect our decisions without us realizing it.
latent	This is generally used to describe something that is present but not yet visible or active. It can refer to physical, biological, or emotional states. The disease can remain latent for years before showing any symptoms. He has a latent talent for music that he's never developed.

Examples of usage

The subconscious mind plays a crucial role in shaping our behavior.
Her subconscious thoughts often manifested in her dreams.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'subconscious'

The term 'subconscious' was first coined by the psychologist Pierre Janet in the 1800s. It gained popularity in the field of psychology through the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who explored the concept of the subconscious mind in depth. The idea of the subconscious has since become a key component in understanding human behavior and mental processes.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,475, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14472 sizing
14473 immovable
14474 choral
14475 subconscious
14476 rigging
14477 irritability
14478 unsuccessfully
...