Subtitle
ˈsʌbˌtaɪtl
Definitions
3 meaningsText displayed at the bottom of a screen to translate or transcribe spoken words.
ˈsʌbˌtaɪtl
A line of text appearing at the bottom of a movie or television screen that translates or transcribes the dialogue.
I always watch foreign films with subtitles.
💡 Simply: Imagine watching a movie in a different language. Subtitles are the words written at the bottom of the screen that tell you what people are saying! They're like little helpers for understanding.
👶 For kids: Words at the bottom of a movie or show that tell you what people are saying.
More Examples
The subtitles helped me follow the plot of the documentary.
She enabled the subtitles on her TV to understand the dialogue.
How It's Used
"The movie was in French, so I needed subtitles to understand it."
"Subtitles are essential for people who are hard of hearing."
To add text at the bottom of a video, film, or presentation that translates or transcribes the spoken language.
ˈsʌbˌtaɪtl
To add subtitles to a film or video.
The film was subtitled in several different languages.
💡 Simply: You're 'subtitling' when you're putting those words at the bottom of a video that translate or explain what's being said. It's like giving the movie a voice for everyone to understand.
👶 For kids: To put the words at the bottom of a movie or show.
More Examples
She spent hours subtitling the videos for her online course.
They will subtitle the interview so that more people can understand it.
How It's Used
"The video was subtitled in both English and Spanish."
"They subtitled the interview to make it accessible to a wider audience."
A subordinate title, especially one that follows the main title and provides additional information.
ˈsʌbˌtaɪtl
A secondary or explanatory title.
The subtitle clarified the book's subject matter.
💡 Simply: Sometimes books and articles have a main title, and then a smaller, extra title that gives you more info. That smaller title is called a subtitle. It's like a helpful sidekick to the main title!
👶 For kids: A second title that tells you a bit more about the book or article.
More Examples
The article's subtitle gave readers a quick overview.
The subtitle helped to explain the main concept of the film.
How It's Used
"The book's subtitle explained the story's main theme."
"The news article's subtitle provided a brief summary."
Idioms & expressions
subtitles
The text displayed at the bottom of a screen, usually translating spoken language.
"The foreign film was only available with subtitles."
From French sous-titre (under-title), composed of sous (under) and titre (title). The term initially referred to text displayed on a screen below the main text or image.
The word 'subtitle' started gaining traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of silent films, often referring to the text cards displayed between scenes. The term's usage evolved with the advent of sound films and later television.
Memory tip
Think of the text 'under' the main image or dialogue.
Word Origin
"sous-titre (under-title)"