English words starting with S

A secondary plot in a play, novel, or film that runs alongside the main story.

a written legal order requiring a person to appear in court to give evidence

to order someone to appear in a court of law to give evidence, typically by serving them with a formal writ.

a distinct part or section of a larger population, especially one that can be distinguished by specific characteristics.

Relating to or denoting a loan, typically a mortgage, offered to a borrower with a poor credit history, and therefore involving a higher risk for the lender.

A part or division of a larger region.

Relating to or characteristic of a subdivision of a larger region.

Located or occurring beneath the retina.

A set of instructions for performing a specific task within a larger computer program, which can be called upon when needed.

To take a sample from a larger sample for further analysis.

A scale that forms part of a larger scale or test, typically designed to measure a specific component or aspect of a broader concept.

A score that forms part of a larger or total score.

to pay money to receive a publication or service regularly.

A person who pays to receive a publication or service regularly.

Written or printed below the line.

An arrangement to receive something regularly, especially a publication or service, by paying in advance.

Operating on a model where users pay a recurring fee, typically at regular intervals, to access a product or service.

Located, used, or carried out beneath the surface of the sea.

A part or division of a section, especially of a legal document or a piece of writing.

a distinct part or division of a larger sector, especially in an economy or industry.

Happening or coming after something else

At a later time; afterwards.

to serve as a means in achieving or furthering something; to be useful or helpful in promoting an end or purpose.

The state or quality of being too willing to obey other people and serve their interests.

Willing to do what other people want, or considering your wishes as less important than those of other people; overly obedient.

A set of which all the elements are contained in another set.

to become less strong, intense, or severe; to decrease.

became less intense, violent, or severe.

the process by which an area of land sinks to a lower level than the land surrounding it, or a building begins to sink into the ground.

the principle that a central authority should perform only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local or regional level.

connected to something but less important than it

(present participle) Becoming less intense, severe, or active; abating.

To give money to a person, organization, or country to help pay for something, often to keep prices low or to support an activity that is considered important.

The act or process of providing financial support, typically from a government or organization, to help an industry, business, or service keep prices low or continue operating.

to pay part of the cost of something, usually a business or industry, to help it continue or to keep prices low

(of an item, service, or activity) supported financially by a government or organization to keep its price low or to help it operate.

providing financial support to keep prices low or to help a business or organization operate

money that is paid by a government or an organization to reduce the costs of services or of producing goods so that their prices can be kept low

to manage to stay alive, especially with limited food or money

the state of having just enough money or food to stay alive

the layer of soil lying immediately beneath the surface soil.

relating to or flying at a speed less than that of sound.

A space that is wholly contained within another space, especially in mathematics.

A specific area of specialized study or work within a broader specialty or field.

a taxonomic category that ranks below species, usually a geographically isolated population with distinct characteristics.

A particular type of solid, liquid, or gas that has specific properties.

The habitual taking of addictive or harmful substances, such as drugs or alcohol.

Engaging in the harmful or excessive use of drugs or other substances.

Connected to or involving a substance, especially a psychoactive drug or chemical.

The consumption or ingestion of a substance, especially an illegal or psychoactive drug.

Below the usual or required standard; of poor quality.

Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

the quality or state of being substantial; having a firm basis in reality and therefore being important, meaningful, or considerable.

to a great or significant extent; considerably.

to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.

provided evidence to support or prove the truth of something.

The act of providing evidence to support or prove the truth of something.

having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable

In a way that relates to the essential nature or most important part of something; significantly.

A set of equipment that reduces the high voltage of electrical power to a lower voltage suitable for distribution to consumers.

The quality or state of being capable of being replaced by another person or thing.

able to be replaced by another person or thing without loss of function or value.

to take the place of something, or to put something or someone in the place of something or someone else.

To use someone or something instead of another person or thing.

The action of replacing someone or something with another person or thing.

relating to or involving substitution, especially the theological doctrine that Christ's death was a substitute for the punishment owed to sinners.

serving or able to serve as a substitute; taking the place of something else.

The surface or material on which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment.

an underlying layer or substance, especially one on which plants, animals, or communities live or grow.

An underlying or supporting structure.

to include something in a larger group or under a more general rule or category.

The action of including or absorbing something in a larger or more general category or concept.

A system that is part of a larger system.

(of a line, arc, or figure) to form (an angle) at a particular point when straight lines from its extremities are joined at that point.

a secret, usually dishonest, way of behaving or doing something, especially in order to avoid blame or punishment.

existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface

a test that forms part of a larger or more comprehensive test.

an underlying and often distinct theme or meaning in a piece of writing or speech.

a theme that is part of or subordinate to a larger or more general theme.

A secondary or explanatory title of a book, film, or other work.

so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

the quality or state of being subtle, especially in a way that is hard to notice or understand.

in a manner that is so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

A subject or area of study that forms part of a larger or more general topic.

a total of one part of a set of figures, added to other subtotals to form a final total.

to take a number or amount away from another number or amount

the process of taking one number or amount away from another number or amount.

relating to or involving subtraction.

Relating to or characteristic of regions adjacent to the tropics.

the regions bordering the tropics, characterized by having a climate that is nearly tropical.

a secondary or subordinate type; a category that is a subdivision of a larger or more general type.

a distinct part or component of a larger unit or structure, especially in biology or chemistry.

an area where people live that is outside the central part of a city or town.

relating to or characteristic of a suburb.

Having the characteristics or qualities typical of a suburb or suburban life.

a person who lives in a suburb.

the process by which suburbs are created and grow, as people and businesses move out of city centers.

the suburbs of a city, and the way of life, culture, and attitudes associated with people who live there, often considered to be conventional and materialistic.

A grant of money, especially from a government or other authority, to help an organization or activity.

the act of trying to destroy or damage a government or political system by attacking it secretly or indirectly.

Seeking or intended to undermine an established system or institution.

In a manner intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority.

To try to destroy the power and influence of a government or an established belief

To undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution.

An underground railway system in a city.

A loudspeaker designed to reproduce very low bass frequencies.

To achieve the desired aim or result.

Coming after something else; following.

The achievement of a desired aim or result.

focused on or directed towards achieving success

having achieved a desired aim or result; having attained wealth, popularity, or status.

in a way that accomplishes a desired aim or result

a number of people or things that follow each other in time or order; a series.

Relating to or involving a succession, especially a natural ecological sequence of change in a plant or animal community.

Following one after another in a series without interruption.

Following one after another in a series without interruption.

a person or thing that comes after another in time, especially in a position or role.

expressed clearly and in a few words; brief and concise.

in a clear and brief manner, using few words

a crystalline compound used as a short-acting muscle relaxant in surgical procedures and electroconvulsive therapy.