Caption Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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caption

[หˆkรฆpสƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

social media

A brief explanation or description accompanying an illustration, photograph, or graphic.

Synonyms

description, explanation, title.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
caption

Used when providing a brief text under a photo or illustration to describe or explain it.

  • The caption under the image read 'Sunset over the mountains.'
description

Utilized to give a detailed account or explanation of someone or something.

  • The description of the house included details about the number of rooms and the size of the garden.
explanation

Applied when giving more in-depth information or making something clear and understandable.

  • Her explanation of the scientific concept helped the students understand it better.
title

Used to give the name of a book, article, or other piece of work.

  • The title of the book was 'The Great Mystery.'

Examples of usage

  • The caption under the Instagram post was witty and engaging.
  • She always writes a funny caption for her photos.
Context #2 | Noun

newspaper

A title or brief explanation appended to an article, illustration, cartoon, or poster.

Synonyms

heading, headline, subtitle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
caption

Small text that describes a picture, diagram, or photo in a book, article, or presentation.

  • The photo of the Eiffel Tower had a caption that read 'A symbol of Paris'
headline

Main title at the top of a news article or newspaper. Usually eye-catching and concise.

  • The headline of the newspaper read 'New Discovery in Space'
subtitle

Secondary title or a smaller text that provides more details or context to the main title.

  • The book title was 'The Mysterious Island' with the subtitle 'A Journey into the Unknown'
heading

Title for a section or chapter in a book, article, or document.

  • The heading of the first chapter was 'Introduction to Physics'

Examples of usage

  • The caption of the article summarized the main points.
  • The caption of the cartoon added humor to the image.
Context #3 | Verb

social media

To provide a caption for (a picture or photograph).

Synonyms

describe, label, title.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
caption

Best used for text under images, photos, or illustrations in books, magazines, or online articles.

  • The photo of the sunset had a caption below it.
  • She read the funny caption under the cartoon.
describe

This is appropriate when giving a detailed account or explanation of something, often used in writing or speaking to explain characteristics or features.

  • She tried to describe the beautiful scenery to her friend.
  • Can you describe what happened at the meeting?
title

Used to give a name to a book, movie, song, article, or any other piece of work.

  • The title of her new book is 'The Great Adventure'.
  • They decided on a title for the new movie.
label

Used for identifying objects or items with a name, often found on products, packaging, or in a scientific context.

  • Each jar was carefully labeled with its contents.
  • He labeled all the boxes before moving.

Examples of usage

  • She captioned the photo with a quote from her favorite book.
  • Don't forget to caption your posts to engage your audience.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Media and Communication

  • In modern social media, captions help convey context, emotion, or humor, often engaging the audience directly.
  • Captions can vary widely in style, from informative to playful, depending on the platform and creator's intent.
  • They serve as a bridge between the visual and textual, enhancing comprehension and accessibility.

Accessibility

  • Captions provide important context for individuals who are hard of hearing, ensuring everyone can enjoy media.
  • They often include descriptions of sounds (like music or laughter), which can enrich the viewing experience.
  • Legal requirements in many countries mandate captions in films and broadcasts to promote inclusivity.

Art and Literature

  • In fine art, captions can offer insight into an artwork's meaning, artist, and historical context.
  • Literary works also utilize captions for illustrations, enhancing the readerโ€™s understanding of the text.
  • In comics and graphic novels, captions are vital for storytelling, delivering internal thoughts, or adding humor.

Pop Culture

  • Funny captions often go viral on social media, leading to trends and challenges centered around creativity.
  • Memes frequently rely on clever captions to transform a simple image into a humorous commentary on current events.
  • Captions have inspired internet lingo, with phrases becoming popular shorthand for humor or irony.

Origin of 'caption'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'captiล', which means 'to take' or 'to seize', linking it to capturing a moment.
  • It has been used in print since the 17th century, originally pertaining to headlines and titles.
  • Over time, its usage expanded to include descriptions accompanying images in art and media.

The word 'caption' originated from the Latin word 'capito' which means 'to take, seize'. In the 17th century, it was used in the context of headings or titles of documents. Over time, it evolved to refer to brief explanations or descriptions accompanying images or articles. Today, 'caption' is commonly used in the context of social media and journalism.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,912, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.