submissive: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, psychological, relational; can be pejorative or descriptive depending on context.
Quick answer
What does “submissive” mean?
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
Pertaining to a person, behaviour, or relationship dynamic characterized by yielding control, often willingly, to a dominant figure. In psychology and BDSM contexts, it describes a consensual role or personality trait.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. More likely to be used in clinical or relational contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Can be neutral/descriptive (e.g., in animal behaviour, psychology) or negative when implying undue passivity. In BDSM contexts, it is a neutral technical term.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday conversation; higher in specific professional or subcultural discourses.
Grammar
How to Use “submissive” in a Sentence
be/become/remain + submissivesubmissive + to + (person/authority)find + (oneself) + submissiveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “submissive” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - The verb is 'submit'.
American English
- N/A - The verb is 'submit'.
adverb
British English
- He nodded submissively when the verdict was read.
American English
- She waited submissively by the door for instructions.
adjective
British English
- The new recruit was oddly submissive, never questioning any order.
American English
- Her dog is surprisingly submissive around larger breeds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, and usually negative: 'A submissive management style can lead to poor decision-making.'
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, gender studies: 'The study examined submissive behaviours in hierarchical social groups.'
Everyday
Often descriptive or critical: 'He's far too submissive with his overbearing boss.'
Technical
Specific meaning in BDSM/relationship dynamics: 'The submissive partner consented to the established rules.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “submissive”
- Using 'submissive' to mean simply 'polite' or 'respectful'. Confusing it with 'passive-aggressive'. Misspelling as 'submisive'. Using in positive contexts where 'cooperative' or 'agreeable' would be better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used pejoratively to imply weakness, it is a neutral, descriptive term in fields like psychology, animal behaviour, and consensual BDSM relationships.
'Obedient' focuses on following orders or rules. 'Submissive' implies a broader attitude of yielding and passivity, often without needing a direct command. One can be obedient without being submissive (e.g., a soldier following orders but maintaining internal defiance).
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for sentient beings, their behaviour, or their roles. You wouldn't describe a 'submissive material'.
Submission. Note: 'Submissiveness' is the quality of being submissive.
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
Submissive is usually formal, psychological, relational; can be pejorative or descriptive depending on context. in register.
Submissive: in British English it is pronounced /səbˈmɪsɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /səbˈmɪsɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bow and scrape (implies submissiveness)”
- “kowtow to someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUBmit + mISSIVE (like a message) = someone who 'submits' and sends signals of obedience.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUBMISSION IS DOWN/A SUBSTANCE: 'She sank into a submissive state.' 'He is deep in his submissive role.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'submissive' in a neutral or positive context?