sublet

1 of 2

verb

sub·​let ˈsəb-ˈlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
sublet; subletting
Synonyms of subletnext

transitive verb

1
: sublease
2
: subcontract sense 1

intransitive verb

: to lease or rent all or part of a leased or rented property

sublet

2 of 2

noun

sub·​let ˈsəb-ˌlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
: property and especially housing obtained by or available through a sublease

Examples of sublet in a Sentence

Verb She sublet her apartment to a student for the summer. He asked his landlord if he could sublet. The agency sublets office space from a law firm in the building. I need someone to sublet my apartment for the summer. Noun I'm looking for a sublet since I'm only going to be here for the summer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Initially, Kinoshita was seeking a property with the intent to sublet some of the bedrooms and lower her share of the expenses. — Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025 Pied-à-terres, co-purchasing, parents buying for children, guarantors, and gifting are all kosher, as is subletting after two years of ownership. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jankauskas was the main tenant and had sublet a room to the woman for about a year, the outlets added. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 The first instance was an outgrowth of her sketchy sublet arrangement. — David Kamp, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sublet

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1766, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sublet was in 1766

Rhymes for sublet

See All Rhymes for sublet

Browse Nearby Words

sublenticular
sublet
sublethal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sublet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sublet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sublet

verb
sub·​let
ˈsəb-ˈlet
sublet; subletting
1
: to lease or rent all or part of a leased or rented property
2
: to hire a third party to perform under a subcontract the work included in an original contract : subcontract

Legal Definition

sublet

verb
sub·​let ˈsəb-ˌlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
sublet; subletting

transitive verb

: to make or obtain a sublease of

intransitive verb

: to lease all or part of a leased property

More from Merriam-Webster on sublet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sublet

Nglish: Translation of sublet for Spanish Speakers

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