Word
Definition
n. the text at the bottom of a screen that shows what people are saying in a movie or show. You use these when you watch something in a foreign language or cannot hear the sound.
n. a textual representation of the spoken dialogue in a film or television programme, typically displayed at the bottom of the screen. Often used to translate foreign-language content or assist viewers with hearing impairments.
Examples
“I always turn on the subtitle when watching foreign films.”
“The documentary was much easier to follow once I enabled the English subtitle for the interviews.”
“While the translation was generally accurate, the subtitle occasionally failed to capture the subtle wordplay and cultural nuances present in the original script.”
Examples
simple
“I always turn on the subtitle when watching foreign films.”
contextual
“The documentary was much easier to follow once I enabled the English subtitle for the interviews.”
complex
“While the translation was generally accurate, the subtitle occasionally failed to capture the subtle wordplay and cultural nuances present in the original script.”
Usage
Often used in the plural form when referring to the entire set of text for a film.
Etymology
From sub- + title.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/subtitle
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0