1. a character (such as a number or letter) written or printed below and to the right of another character
Usage: mathematics; chemistry

1. written or printed below the line
Usage: technical

Examples

• In the chemical formula H₂O, the 2 is a subscript.
• The variable x₁ uses a subscript to distinguish it from other x variables.
• Mathematical notation often uses subscript numbers to index elements.
• The subscript text appeared smaller than the main text.
• She formatted the footnote reference as a subscript number.
• The subscript letters helped identify different versions of the equation.