subsidy - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
subsidy Word Meanings
- financial support from the government
- a form of assistance to help reduce costs
- money given to lower the price of goods or services
subsidy Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
subsidy Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/
US
/ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/
subsidy Word Etymology
subsidy = sub- (under) + sidere (to sit) meaning 'to sit under' + From Latin, through Old French to English. Imagine a person sitting under a tree, receiving fruits provided freely to support them.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set my notebook down and push a chair a bit closer to the desk, watching the screen glow to life. A subsidy slips in quietly, and the numbers shift, the cost line easing as I adjust the plan. I hold my breath, straighten my shoulders, and keep going, feeling the weight of decisions lighten. The idea of subsidy starts to feel like a steady helping hand I can rely on.
Real Context
Subsidy is a government or organizational financial aid designed to support a public goal, such as stabilizing prices, helping producers, or making essential goods and services affordable for consumers. Subsidies can come as cash payments, tax credits, or price supports that lower costs for producers or buyers. They are often debated because they can distort markets, create inefficiencies, or favor certain groups. In common usage subsidy is a countable noun, so you might speak of a subsidy program, a subsidy rate, or subsidies in energy, agriculture, or transport. When speaking, remember that subsidy can be plural and is not the same as a grant or loan.
Usage Reminders
- - Use subsidy for government or organization backing that lowers costs.
- - Differentiate subsidy from grant or loan.
- - Think of subsidy as a policy tool rather than a one-time payment.
- - Watch for plural forms subsidy/subsidies in different contexts.
- - Pair with a field or sector: energy subsidy, agricultural subsidy.
- - Be mindful of connotations: subsidies can be controversial and market-influencing.
Common Misconceptions
- Subsidy is always free money to individuals; it is not tied to policy goals.
- All subsidies are good and never distort markets.
- Subsidy and grant are the same thing.
- Subsidies only help producers, never consumers.
- Once a subsidy exists, prices always go down for everyone.
Thinking Differences
Think in policy terms; English speakers often separate subsidies as policy tools from grants or loans, so learners should highlight intent and mechanism when using subsidy.
Learning Tips
- 1) Connect subsidy to policy goals, not just price cuts.
- 2) Learn common collocations: subsidy program, subsidy rate, energy subsidy.
- 3) Distinguish subsidy from grant and loan in quick comparisons.
- 4) Watch for context cues in politics, agriculture, or transport.
- 5) Practice with both countable and uncountable senses in sentences.
- 6) Note debates or criticisms to understand nuance.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'subsidy'?
A.Financial aid or support
B.A payment made to the government
C.A type of tax
D.A legal document
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'subsidy' used correctly?
A.She received a subsidy for her research project.
B.The subsidy of the book was intriguing.
C.The subsidy between two companies led to competition.
D.He subsidy his way through college.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following is a synonym for 'subsidy'?
A.Grant
B.Debt
C.Profit
D.Loss
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'subsidy'?
A.Penalty
B.Subvention
C.Aid
D.Donation
Step 5: Mastery
How is the concept of 'subsidy' commonly applied in real-world situations?
A.Encouraging competition through high prices
B.Imposing taxes on low-income individuals
C.Supporting farmers with financial aid
D.Paying workers less than the minimum wage
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