subjoin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareFormal, Literary, Archaic, Technical (Legal/Philosophical)
Quick answer
What does “subjoin” mean?
To add or append something (especially a remark, comment, or document) at the end of what has already been said or written.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To add or append something (especially a remark, comment, or document) at the end of what has already been said or written.
To attach or annex something supplementary; to place something after or below something else, often in a formal or literary context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of formality, precision, and sometimes old-fashioned elegance. In legal contexts, it retains a technical precision.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely encountered in 19th-century literature, formal essays, or specific technical writing than in modern everyday use.
Grammar
How to Use “subjoin” in a Sentence
subjoin something (to something)subjoin that-clauseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “subjoin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The barrister chose to subjoin a crucial caveat to her closing argument.
- To this historical account, I feel compelled to subjoin a personal anecdote.
- The author subjoined a footnote clarifying the obscure reference.
American English
- The judge permitted the attorney to subjoin an amended affidavit to the filing.
- He subjoined a brief postscript to his letter, updating her on the news.
- The treaty had a secret protocol subjoined to the main text.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possible in formal humanities writing (e.g., philosophy, literary criticism) to add a final comment.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely.
Technical
Possible in legal drafting for adding a clause or condition to a document.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “subjoin”
- Using it in casual speech. Confusing it with 'adjoin' (to be next to). Using it without an object (e.g., 'I will subjoin' is incomplete).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and formal. Learners are unlikely to need it for active use; recognizing it in reading is sufficient.
'Subjoin' is far more formal and specifically implies adding something at the end of a discourse or text. 'Add' is general and neutral.
It would sound highly archaic and stilted in modern spoken English. It is primarily a written verb.
Yes, 'subjoinder' is the corresponding noun, but it is even rarer than the verb.
To add or append something (especially a remark, comment, or document) at the end of what has already been said or written.
Subjoin is usually formal, literary, archaic, technical (legal/philosophical) in register.
Subjoin: in British English it is pronounced /səbˈdʒɔɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /səbˈdʒɔɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific to this rare verb)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SUBJOIN as JOINing something SUBsequently (afterwards).
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING/SPEECH IS A SEQUENCE (adding a segment to the end of the chain).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'subjoin' MOST appropriately used?