Meaning of secondary in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/ˈsɛkənˌdɛri/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Classifying Adjective
secondaryDefinitions
1. inferior in rank or statusExamples
- « the junior faculty »
- « a lowly corporal »
- « petty officialdom »
- « a subordinate functionary »
Synonyms
- 2. depending on or incidental to what is original or primary
Examples
- « a secondary infection »
Synonyms
- 3. not of major importance
Examples
- « played a secondary role in world events »
Synonyms
- 4. belonging to a lower class or rank
Synonyms
Noun
secondaryDefinitions
1. the defensive football players who line up behind the linemen- 2. coil such that current is induced in it by passing a current through the primary coil
Qualitative Adjective
secondaryEtymology
late Middle English: from Latin secundarius‘of the second quality or class’, from secundus (see second)Definitions
1. of second rank or importance or valueExamples
- « not direct or immediate »
- « the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher »
- « a secondary source »
- « a secondary issue »
- « secondary streams »
Synonyms
- alternate
- alternative
- auxiliary
- subsidiary
- supplemental
- supplementary
- collateral
- indirect
- secondhand
- second-string
- substitute(a)
- standby
- tributary
- utility(a)
- substitute(a)
- vicarious
- thirdhand
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « We are what our thoughts have made us so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live they travel far. » Swami Vivekananda
- « I studied secondary education. » Jim McKay
- « The United States is the most innovative country in the world. But our leadership could slip away if we fail to properly fund primary, secondary and higher education. » Jeff Bingaman
- « Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved. It leaves all the other secondary effects to take care of themselves. Love, therefore, is its own reward. » Thomas Merton
- « It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion. » Paul Nurse