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

It’s a “quest for a mathematical theory of the mind,” as the subtitle puts it—opening with Aristotle and ending with artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

But the book’s subtitle, “The Invention of Biology and the Revolutionary Science of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck,” is more than a bit misleading.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Its subtitle, about awakening and survival, underlines Mrie’s trajectory from submissive daughter to political actor and skilled observer.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

In a phone conversation and later at his office, Klapper said the subtitle is going to be, “Let Me Explain.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026

IVES; I give you your choice whether or not it should bear the subtitle, 'Experiences of a French prisoner in England.'

From Vailima Letters by Stevenson, Robert Louis

Related Words

• call
• describe
• dub