subtitle

Everyday

1. Subtitles are words shown at the bottom of a film or TV screen to translate what people say or to write it down for people who cannot hear it. tree →
2. A subtitle is a second, smaller title of a book or article that gives more detail. tree →
3. To subtitle a film is to add subtitles to it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life subtitles help deaf people and people learning languages, and let you watch foreign films. In English lessons a subtitle in a book or non-fiction text adds information under the main heading. Phrases: turn on the subtitles, with subtitles, English subtitles, closed captions (US).

Examples

• We watched a Japanese cartoon with English subtitles. tree →
• Turn on the subtitles so Grandad can follow the film. tree →
• Reading subtitles helps me learn French. tree →
• The book's title is «Space» and its subtitle is «A Journey to the Stars». tree →
• The film was subtitled in twelve languages. tree →
• The subtitles were too fast for my little sister. tree →
• Write a title and a subtitle for your science report. tree →

Note

Usually plural for films: subtitles. In the US «closed captions» (CC) also show sounds like [door slams]. The prefix «sub» means «under»: subtitles sit under the picture.