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

In Romanian and English, with subtitles Not rated Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes Playing: Opens Wednesday, Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Linklater, shooting en français with subtitles, whisks characters past the lens so fast that your mental Rolodex is full in 15 minutes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In that previously described moment when Zola says “same b***h that wanna smile in your face be the same b***h that gonna come for you later,” Bravo interprets Stefani’s enthusiastic reaction in subtitles.

Read more on Salon

Prominent in the NFL’s ascendance are the three fiercely ambitious men referred to in the book’s subtitle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This also helps if you, like me, are reliant on subtitles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• call 
• describe 
• dub