adj · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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[sʌbˈhjuːmən]
Mid-Atlantic, US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:S AH2 B HH Y UW1 M AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Less than human.
As asserted of humans.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: offensive, often
Examples
A secret to Nazi power was that anyone from the ingroup could be turned upon and labeled as subhuman scum when some alleged Jewish ancestry was suddenly "discovered".
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: infrahuman
Antonyms: superhuman, suprahuman, ultrahuman
2
adj
Meaning 2
Less than human.
As asserted of animals.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
We say dolphin intelligence is subhuman; I suspect dolphins say our intelligence is subdolphin.
In the belief system of his day, chimpanzees were described as subhuman and asserted to be incapable of feeling pain.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: infrahuman
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Any sentient creature that is subhuman.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: offensive, sometimes
Examples
Near-synonym: nonperson
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Untermensch, nonperson
Antonyms: superhuman, übermensch
Broader terms: humanoid
4
noun
Meaning 4
A man who ranks at the bottom percentile or decile of SMV; a truecel
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: incel slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective
Meaning 5
less than human or not worthy of a human being
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
treated natives as subhuman
a subhuman spectacle
the subhuman primates
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: superhuman
6
adjective satellite
Meaning 6
unfit for human beings
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
subhuman conditions of life
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub-der. English sub- Latin hūmānus Old French umain Middle French humainbor. Middle English humayne English human English subhuman From sub- + human.
Across languages
Translations
22 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Georgian:
ქვეადამიანი
(kveadamiani)
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Greek:
ζωώδης
(zoódis)
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Irish:
fodhaonna
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Italian:
subumano
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Macedonian:
потчовечки
(potčovečki)
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Manx:
fo-gheiney
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Portuguese:
sub-humano
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Romanian:
subuman
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
Swedish:
undermänsklig
— less than human; lacking characteristics of a human
