The word "subcardioid" is used to describe a directional microphone's polar pattern that captures sound from a specific direction. Synonyms for subcardioid include "super-cardioid," "hyper-cardioid," and "shotgun." These terms are used to describe microphones with polar patterns that are narrower than the traditional cardioid pattern. The super-cardioid is the most directional of the three, capturing sound from an even smaller area than the subcardioid. The hyper-cardioid has a slightly wider pattern, capturing sound from a more elliptical area. The shotgun microphone has a very narrow and long pattern, which is ideal for capturing sound from a distance or in noisy environments.