subliminal

IPA/ˌsʌbˈlɪmɪnl/
KK[səblˈɪmɪnəl]IPA/ˌsʌbˈlɪmɪnl/

subliminal — adjective

  • subliminalpositive
  • more subliminalcomparative
  • most subliminalsuperlative

1. describing something that affects a person's thoughts, emotions, or actions with

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing something that affects a person's thoughts, emotions, or actions without the person being aware of it

例句

The shop played subliminal ocean sounds, and customers bought more seafood without knowing why.

subliminal + noun: subliminal sounds

Fatima's subliminal distrust of loud voices came from her strict childhood home.

同義詞
  • subconscious

    broader and less technical; refers to any mental process outside awareness, not specifically below the threshold of perception

  • unconscious

    stronger — describes thoughts or feelings completely outside awareness, often with a clinical tone

  • imperceptible

    focuses on being impossible to detect by the senses, not on the influence something has

反義詞

文法句型

subliminal + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (HIDDEN PERSUASION), which is specifically about deliberate attempts to influence people through advertising or media. This sense covers any influence below conscious awareness, whether intentional or not.

常見錯誤

❌The subliminal message was clear to everyone in the room.
✅The hidden message was clear to everyone in the room.
💡Something subliminal is by definition not consciously noticed; if it is obvious, use 'hidden' or 'subtle' instead.

2. describing messages or signals in advertising and media that are designed to aff

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing messages or signals in advertising and media that are designed to affect how people think or act, without those people knowing

例句

Elena was shocked to find subliminal dollar signs hidden in the restaurant's menu design.

subliminal + noun: subliminal dollar signs

The drink company hid subliminal skull images in the ice cubes shown on their posters.

同義詞
  • covert

    focuses on being deliberately hidden, without the psychological dimension of 'below consciousness'

  • hidden

    more general; anything concealed, not necessarily below the threshold of perception

  • subconscious

    broader term covering all mental activity below awareness; less specific to advertising contexts

反義詞

文法句型

subliminal + message / advertising / image

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively about advertising, marketing, and media messages. The subject is typically a message, image, or signal deliberately designed to bypass conscious awareness. Unlike sense 1, this always implies intent to persuade or manipulate.

常見錯誤

❌I sent her a subliminal text message about the party.
✅I sent her a subtle hint about the party.
💡'Subliminal' describes stimuli below conscious perception, not ordinary hints in personal communication.