Title

/ˈtaɪ.təl/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonNaming
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The name of a book, movie, piece of music, or other work of art, or the name or designation given to a person or thing.

/ˈtaɪ.təl/

nounneutralBeginner
Naming

A name given to a piece of work, or a person's rank.

The title of the song is 'Imagine'.

💡 Simply: It's the name of a book, movie, or song, like calling a pet. Also, it's what you're called at work, like 'Teacher' or 'Doctor.'

👶 For kids: It's the name of something, like the name of your favorite book or your job title!

More Examples

2

The title of the report was misleading.

3

He earned the title of 'Professor' after years of teaching.

How It's Used

Literature

"The title of the book is 'Pride and Prejudice'."

Employment

"Her title at the company is Marketing Manager."

2

To give a title to.

/ˈtaɪ.təl/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To give a name to something.

She decided to title her new novel 'Whispers of the Wind'.

💡 Simply: To give something a name. Like, you 'title' a song or a presentation. It's like putting a label on it!

👶 For kids: To give something a name, like giving your toy a special name.

More Examples

2

They titled the painting 'Sunset over the Lake'.

3

The news report was titled 'Local Victory'.

How It's Used

Journalism

"The newspaper titled its article 'Local Hero Saves Cat'."

Literature

"The author titled the book 'The Secret Garden'."

Tip:Think of 'titling' a document like 'labeling' it with a name.
3

The legal right to ownership of a property or asset; evidence of ownership.

/ˈtaɪ.təl/

nounneutralAdvanced
Legal

Legal ownership.

The bank held the title until the loan was paid.

💡 Simply: It's the proof you own something, like a house or a car. It's the legal document.

👶 For kids: It's the paper that says you own something, like your bike!

More Examples

2

They checked the title to ensure there were no liens.

3

She transferred the title of the car to her son.

How It's Used

Law

"She obtained clear title to the property."

Real Estate

"The title to the land was transferred."

Tip:Title in this sense is like holding the 'deed' or the 'proof' that you own something.

Idioms & expressions

by the title of

Used to introduce a person's full name and professional designation.

"He was introduced as 'John Smith, by the title of Dr.'."

to have title

To legally own a property or asset.

"She was excited to finally have title to her own home."

From Old French *titre*, from Latin *titulus* ('inscription, label, title').

The word 'title' has been used in English since the late 13th century, originally referring to an inscription or label.

Memory tip

Think of the word 'title' as the 'label' on a book or a person's job.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"inscription, label, title"

book titlemovie titlejob titleproperty titleofficial titlelegal titlearticle title

Common misspellings

titeltittle

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written