What does subdue mean?
Word: Subdue
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Subdue means to calm something strong, or bring it under control.
Synonyms: quieten
How do you spell subdue?
Syllables: sub - due
Tricky part: The end sounds exactly like morning dew, so pupils write ew. The ending here is ue.
Watch out for: subdew, subdoo, subdu
Memory tip: The end sounds like morning dew but borrows its letters from a due date.
Subdue in a sentence
Example 1: Soft music helped to subdue the noise in the waiting room.
Example 2: Thick curtains subdue the bright afternoon light in our study.
Example 3: Ravi could not subdue his excitement when the results came out.
Fun Fact
It came into English through French from a Latin verb meaning to draw from under, a rather different idea. The meaning shifted over the centuries.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. hesitate 2. sabdue 3. celebrate 4. rehearse
a) to mark a happy event
b) to practise before a performance
c) to pause before you act
d) to keep a powerful feeling in check
Show answer
d) to keep a powerful feeling in check. The opening syllable has the vowel of submarine, so the second word is the wrong one.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word subdue as used in the sentence:
Anaya took a deep breath to subdue her nerves before going on stage for the prize-giving.
a) ignite
b) display
c) release
d) restrain
Show answer
d) restrain. Anaya is keeping her nerves under control, not letting them show.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form a word:
A cup of warm milk and a quiet story helped to ebsduu the toddler's wild energy.
a) issue
b) subside
c) subdue
d) subtle
Show answer
c) subdue. With two u's and no i or t here, only one choice can be built.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
subbdue
a) d
b) u
c) s
d) b
Show answer
d) b. The prefix sub keeps one b, and nothing here needs doubling.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which colours would a designer call subdued?
a) bold oranges and neon pinks
b) shining reds and lime greens
c) soft greys and pale creams
d) rich purples and electric blues
Show answer
c) soft greys and pale creams
2. Which action shows a child trying to subdue a giggle during assembly?
a) waving to a friend in the next row
b) pointing at the funny picture on the wall
c) whispering the joke to the girl beside her
d) pressing her lips and staring at the floor
Show answer
d) pressing her lips and staring at the floor
