English Reference

Word

caption

Phoneticscap·tion, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈkæpʃən/

UK/kˈæpʃən/

Definitions

01picture description

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a short title or explanation printed below a picture, map, or cartoon.

n. a brief explanation or title accompanying an illustration, photograph, or diagram.

“The caption under the photo explained that the building was over two hundred years old.”

“The editor insisted on a more descriptive caption for the front-page photograph to ensure readers understood the historical context of the protest.”

02on-screen text

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Television

n. words shown on a screen during a video or film that describe the dialogue and sounds.

n. textual representation of spoken dialogue and sound effects in audio-visual media, primarily for the benefit of deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers.

“I usually turn on the captions when watching movies so I don't miss any quiet dialogue.”

“Modern streaming services provide closed captions that include descriptions of background music and significant sound effects to improve accessibility.”

Synonyms

03legal heading

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical · Formal

n. the heading of a legal document that shows the names of the people involved and the court.

n. the introductory part of a legal document or pleading which identifies the parties, the court, and the case number.

“The lawyer checked the caption of the document to make sure the case number was correct.”

“The clerk rejected the filing because the caption failed to list all the co-defendants as required by the local court rules.”

Synonyms

04to provide a description

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to write a short explanation for a picture or video.

v. to provide or supplement an image, diagram, or video with explanatory text.

“She spent an hour trying to caption her holiday photos before posting them online.”

“The documentary was carefully captioned to ensure it met international accessibility standards for broadcast television.”

Synonyms

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin captiō (“deception, fraud”), from the past participle of capiō (“I take, I seize”) (English capture). Compare Middle English capcioun (“seizure, capture”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

caption(B1)

Domains

InternetLawTelevisionTheater

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference