subtitle

[suhb-tahyt-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.

verb (used with object)

subtitled, subtitling 

1. to supply a subtitle or subtitles for.

subtitle

/ 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• subtitular adjective
• unsubtitled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtitle¹

First recorded in 1875–80; sub- + title

Example Sentences

This renders Mr. Bacon’s subtitle inapt: “The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald” has been told and retold by authors and bards.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

AI can also be used to auto-generate subtitles or to hone ideas and scripts.

Read more on BBC

The first screen Maigret, included here for historical interest and because a subtitled version is available on YouTube.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The combined service allows fans to view dubbed and subtitled content in one place.

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As suggested by its subtitle, “The Education of an Artist,” the book is the nonfiction equivalent of a bildungsroman.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• call 
• describe 
• dub