What does subjoin mean?
Subjoin is a formal verb meaning to add, append, or attach something to an existing text, document, agreement, or record. Its clearest use is in contexts where material is inserted as a supplementary part: a note may be subjoined to an article, or additional terms may be subjoined to a contract. The word can also convey the idea of joining something beneath or alongside something already present. It is uncommon in ordinary conversation and sounds technical or administrative, especially in legal, academic, and editorial writing. Compared with append, subjoin can suggest not merely adding material at the end but incorporating it as a subordinate or accompanying portion. Its usefulness lies in describing a precise editorial or documentary action that simpler words such as add may express less specifically.
To add or append text, information, or material to an existing text or document.
"The editor subjoined a short explanation to the final paragraph."
Formal and specialized; common in legal, administrative, scholarly, and editorial contexts.
To join something as a subordinate or supplementary part to something else.
"The amendment was subjoined to the original agreement."
The sense is especially associated with documents and formal records.
A subjoined clause is not a subordinate clause: one is added to a document, while the other depends on another part of a sentence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subjoin come from?
Subjoin comes from Latin, combining the prefix sub- meaning “under” or “beneath” with the verb join. English usage developed in legal and administrative writing, where material could be placed under or alongside an existing clause or document. The word is related in origin to English join, conjoin, and disjoin, all of which involve combining or separating elements.
Related word forms
How subjoin is actually used
Subjoin is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It is especially associated with legal, administrative, scholarly, and editorial contexts, where it describes adding material to an existing document or record.
Easily confused with subjoin
Subjoin means to add or append material, whereas subjugate means to bring under control or domination.