Subscribe
suhb-SKRYB
/səbˈskraɪb/
To sign up to receive regular updates, newly published content, or access to a service.
In digital audio, subscribing means establishing an automatic feed update rather than buying a physical paper delivery.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'subscribere', meaning literally 'to write underneath'. In ancient legal contracts, signing your name at the bottom of a document signaled your binding agreement to receive goods or honor obligations.
Word relationships
- follow: Follow usually implies tracking social feeds, whereas subscribe often implies setting up recurring content receipts or payments.
- enroll: Enroll applies to courses or formal organizations rather than ongoing content channels.
- unsubscribe: To cancel a recurring content feed or membership.
Commonly confused with
- transcribe: Subscribe means signing up to receive updates, while transcribe means turning spoken speech into written text.
Word family
- subscriber (noun): A person who subscribes to a service or show.
- subscription (noun): An arrangement to receive regular content or services.
Collocations
- subscribe to a channel
- subscribe for updates
- click to subscribe
- subscribe free
Idioms & expressions
- subscribe to a view (to hold or agree with a specific opinion)
Example sentences
- "Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on any major audio platform to download new episodes automatically." Digital Media
- "Thousands of supporters choose to subscribe to the channel for exclusive bonus material." Publishing
Memory hook
SUBscribe = write your name SUB (under) the contract. Sign underneath to get updates.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a single, one-time media download without recurring updates.
Fun facts
- In modern tech apps, Apple replaced the 'Subscribe' button with 'Follow' for podcasts in 2021 to avoid implying a paid charge.
Related words
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