noun

closed caption

klohzd KAP-shuhn

Closed caption (noun) means On-screen text of a video's dialogue together with speaker labels and descriptions of relevant sounds, which the viewer can switch on or off — designed so that deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers get the audio information as well as the words. Example: “Turn on closed captions if you cannot hear the dialogue over the music.”

noun

On-screen text of a video's dialogue together with speaker labels and descriptions of relevant sounds, which the viewer can switch on or off — designed so that deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers get the audio information as well as the words.

"Turn on closed captions if you cannot hear the dialogue over the music."

"The closed captions note the doorbell and the dog barking offscreen."

verb

To add such switchable on-screen text to a video.

"All course videos must be closed captioned before release."

How to use closed caption

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishText on screen showing what is being said and heard, which you can switch on or off.

When to use it

Neutral; standard in broadcasting, accessibility law and video platforms. Chiefly American in origin but now global.

Memory tip

The activity is closed captioning and the plural noun is usually closed captions. American English tends to write closed captioning where British English says subtitling.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

subtitles SDH open captions transcript →

Common pairings

turn on closed captions closed caption file closed captioning CC button

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Test yourself on “closed caption” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Turn on _____ if you cannot hear the dialogue over the music.

Etymology

Closed because the text is carried hidden in the signal and must be decoded and switched on by the viewer, as opposed to open captions which are burned permanently into the picture.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

CC captions subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing SDH

Antonyms

open caption

Related words

Rhymes for closed caption

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension oxidation

See all rhymes for closed caption →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between closed captions and subtitles?

Subtitles assume you can hear and mainly transcribe speech, often translating it into another language. Closed captions assume you cannot hear and so also identify who is speaking and describe meaningful sounds — a door slamming, ominous music, laughter offscreen.

What is the difference between closed and open captions?

Closed captions can be turned on and off because the text is stored separately from the video. Open captions are permanently burned into the image, so every viewer sees them and no one can switch them off.

Why is it called CC?

CC is simply the initialism of closed caption, and the CC button on remote controls and video players has made the abbreviation more familiar than the full phrase.

What is the meaning of closed caption?

"closed caption" (noun) means on-screen text of a video's dialogue together with speaker labels and descriptions of relevant sounds, which the viewer can switch on or off — designed so that deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers get the audio information as well as the words.