subconscious

UK: /ˌsʌbˈkɒnʃəs/ US: /sʌbˈkɑnʃəs/ ,(sub kon′shəs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sub•con•scious /sʌbˈkɑnʃəs/   adj. 

1. Psychology existing or operating in the mind beneath consciousness:
   subconscious feelings of love.

n. [uncountable]

2. Psychology that part of one's mind or mental processes that are hidden to an individual and yet have an influence or effect on that person:
   Somewhere in your subconscious you know she is right.

sub•con•scious•ly, adv.: 

Subconsciously I knew she was right.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sub•con•scious  (sub kon′shəs), adj. 

1. Psychology existing or operating in the mind beneath or beyond consciousness:
   the subconscious self.
   Cf. preconscious, unconscious. 
2. Psychology imperfectly or not wholly conscious:
   subconscious motivations.

n. 

3. Psychology the totality of mental processes of which the individual is not aware;
   unreportable mental activities.

• sub- + conscious 1825–35

sub•con′scious•ly, adv. 
sub•con′scious•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

subconscious / sʌbˈkɒnʃəs/ adjective

1. acting or existing without one's awareness

noun

1. that part of the mind which is on the fringe of consciousness and contains material of which it is possible to become aware by redirecting attention
   Compare unconscious5

subˈconsciously adverb

subˈconsciousness noun