title
TEYE-tuhl
Title (noun) means the name given to a book, film, song, or other work. Example: “The film's title made me think it would be a comedy.”
noun
1
The name given to a book, film, song, or other work.
"The film's title made me think it would be a comedy."
"The title of her new novel is still under wraps."
"What was the title of that song on the radio?"
2
A word or phrase showing someone's rank, office, or profession, such as "Doctor" or "Captain."
"In letters to the court, he used the title Judge before his name."
"Her title at the hospital is head nurse."
"She earned the title of professor after years of research."
3
Legal ownership of property, or the document proving it.
"The solicitor checked that the seller held clear title to the land before the sale."
"After moving house, he kept the title in a safe place at home."
"The bank held the title to the house until the loan was paid off."
4
The recognition given to the winner of a championship.
"The young boxer hopes to win the national title next year."
"She defended her title in front of a cheering home crowd."
"The team won the league title for the third year running."
verb
1
To give a name to a work.
"The painter titled the picture "Quiet Morning" because of its soft light."
"He could not decide how to title his first album."
"She titled her memoir "Starting Over.""
How to use title
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe name of a work, a rank or honorific, legal ownership of property, or a championship win.
Common pairings
book title
job title
title deed
win the title
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Word forms
- Plural
- titles
- Third person singular
- titles
- Past tense
- titled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's _____ made me think it would be a comedy.
Etymology
From Old English titul, from Latin titulus, "inscription, heading" — a relative of "tilde" and "tittle."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for title
See all rhymes for title →Frequently asked questions
What does “title” mean?
The word “title” means the name given to a book, film, song, or other work. In plain terms, the name of a work, a rank or honorific, legal ownership of property, or a championship win.
How do you pronounce “title”?
“Title” is pronounced TEYE-tuhl (/ˈtaɪ̯.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “title” in a sentence?
Here is “title” used in a sentence: “The title of her new novel is still under wraps.”
What is another word for “title”?
Words with a similar meaning to “title” include honour.
What part of speech is “title”?
Depending on how it is used, “title” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “title” come from?
The word “title” comes from Latin. From Old English titul, from Latin titulus, "inscription, heading" — a relative of "tilde" and "tittle.".
Is “title” a common word?
“Title” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “title” have?
“Title” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the name given to a book, film, song, or other work.
What is the difference between a title and a heading?
A title names an entire work, such as a book, film, song, or article, and usually appears first and most prominently. A heading labels a section within that work, helping readers navigate its parts. A book has one title but may contain dozens of headings marking its chapters and subsections.
What is the difference between a title and a subtitle?
A title is the main name of a work, while a subtitle is a secondary line that follows it, adding detail or context. In 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,' the title is 'Frankenstein' and the subtitle explains its theme. The subtitle expands on the title but never replaces it.
What is an example of a title?
'Pride and Prejudice' is the title of Jane Austen's novel, while 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is the title of a famous song. A title identifies the work and often hints at its subject or mood. It is the name people use to search for, discuss, and remember the work.
What makes a good title?
A strong title is memorable, easy to say, and fitting for the work it names. It often captures the theme, tone, or central idea in just a few words, sparking curiosity without giving everything away. Good titles also stand out from similar works, helping readers or viewers find and recall them.
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