subscript

/ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/

//ˈsʌbskɹɪpt// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"subscript" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“subscript” is uncommon English (frequency #74,542 among 54,294 “S” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#74,542
frequency rank, English
54,294
“S” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A type of lettering form written lower than the things around it.

Key facts for subscript
PropertyValue
Headwordsubscript
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/
Letters9
Frequency rank#74,542
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “subscript” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). subscript lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

subscript is uncommon English at frequency #74,542 among 54,294 “S” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

subscript has no tracked misspelling variants, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From sub- + script. The correct English form is subscript, spelled S-U-B-S-C-R-I-P-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    A type of lettering form written lower than the things around it.
  2. 2
    An index into an array or hash.

Etymology

From sub- + script.

Antonyms

superscript

This word in other languages

subíndice(Español)indice(Français)subscrito(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "subscript"?
"subscript" is spelled S-U-B-S-C-R-I-P-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/.
What does "subscript" mean?
As a noun, "subscript" means: A type of lettering form written lower than the things around it.
How do you pronounce "subscript"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "subscript" is /ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "subscript"?
From sub- + script. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “subscript”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is S-U-B-S-C-R-I-P-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈsʌbskɹɪpt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list