subtitle

American  

[suhb-tahyt-l] / ˈsʌbˌtaɪt l /

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, Digital Technology.

   1. a translation or transcription of spoken language in a television program, film, video, or video game, as of dialogue in a foreign language or speech that is audible but may not be easily understood, displayed as a graphic overlay on the lower part of the screen.

   2. caption.

   3. (in silent films) an intertitle or caption.

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verb (used with object)

subtitled, subtitling

1. to supply a subtitle or subtitles for.

subtitle British  

/ ˈsʌbˌtaɪtəl, -ˈtɪtʃə-, sʌbˈtɪtjʊlə /

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

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verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to provide a subtitle for

Other Word Forms

• subtitular adjective
• unsubtitled adjective

Etymology

Origin of subtitle

First recorded in 1875–80; sub- + title

Example Sentences

Titled “The Eternal Pursuit of Unhappiness,” its blunt subtitle reads, “Being very good is no good. You have to be very, very, very, very, very good.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Marley was dead,” Charles Dickens begins the novella he subtitled “A Ghost Story of Christmas.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Her subtitle credits Diogenes with a “revolutionary philosophy,” a grand claim that runs counter to recent scholarly treatments.

From The Wall Street Journal

For those unfamiliar with the Manc accent, subtitles may be required.

From Los Angeles Times

In shades of today’s generational divide on college campuses, the younger Na’vi have an ethical disagreement with their elders about their rejection of an outcast whale, Payakan, who speaks in comically solemn subtitles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• call
• describe
• dub