submit
suhb-MIT
/səbˈmɪt/
To present a document, proposal, or piece of work for consideration or judgment.
Implies handing something over to an authority or for a formal process.
The story behind the word. The word 'submit' comes from the Latin 'submittere', a combination of 'sub-' meaning 'under' and 'mittere' meaning 'to send'. So, literally, to 'submit' something is to 'send it under' or 'place it under' the authority or judgment of another. This sense of placing oneself or one's work under another's power or consideration has remained central to its meaning.
Word relationships
- hand in: More informal, common in school settings.
- turn in: Similar to 'hand in', often used for schoolwork.
- present: Can imply a more formal, often oral, presentation alongside the document.
- withdraw: To take back something that was submitted.
Word family
- submission (noun): The act of submitting; something submitted.
- submittable (adjective): Capable of being submitted.
Collocations
- submit an application
- submit a report
- submit a proposal
- submit work
- submit online
Example sentences
- "Please submit your essays by midnight on Friday through the online portal." A professor reminding students.
- "I need to submit my application before the end of the business day." A job applicant.
Memory hook
To SUBMIT your work, you MITT (send) it to the teacher. Send it under
When not to use
Do not use 'submit' for casual handing over of items; 'give' or 'hand in' are more appropriate for informal contexts.
Fun facts
- The word 'submit' also has a meaning of 'to yield to a superior force or to the authority of another', reflecting its Latin root more directly.
Related words
Also appears in
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