How to spell subdue

hear itsub·due/səb'du/verbLong vowels

What it means: To bring something under control or limit it.

In a sentence: The firefighter worked hard to subdue the flames.

The part people get wrong

Often misspelled as subdeu or subdoo.

Same family: subdues, subdued, subduing, control, discipline. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: “Subdue” comes from Old French *soduire* and ultimately from Latin roots meaning “to lead under” or “bring beneath.” Over time, its meaning shifted from physical conquest in battle to the more general idea of controlling or calming behavior, emotions, or situations.

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