Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

subtitle

[suhb-tahyt-l]
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a secondary or subordinate title of a literary work, usually of explanatory character.
  2. a repetition of the leading words in the full title of a book at the head of the first page of text.
  3. Movies, Television.
    1. the text of dialogue, speeches, operas, etc., translated into another language and projected on the lower part of the screen.
    2. (in silent motion pictures) a title or caption.
verb (used with object), sub·ti·tled, sub·ti·tling.
  1. to give a subtitle to.

Origin of subtitle

First recorded in 1875–80; sub- + title
Related formssub·tit·u·lar [suhb-tich-uh-ler, -tit-yuh-] /sʌbˈtɪtʃ ə lər, -ˈtɪt yə-/, adjectiveun·sub·ti·tled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for subtitle

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for subtitle

subtitle

noun
  1. an additional subordinate title given to a literary or other work
  2. Also called: caption (often plural) films
    1. a written translation superimposed on a film that has foreign dialogue
    2. explanatory text on a silent film
verb
  1. (tr; usually passive) to provide a subtitle for
Derived Formssubtitular (sʌbˈtɪtjʊlə, -ˈtɪtʃə-), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subtitle

n.

1825, "subordinate or additional title," in reference to literary works, from sub- "under" + title. Applied to motion pictures first in 1909.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper