Meanings
plural subheadlines
- journalismA smaller, secondary headline that usually elaborates on the main headline above it.
That subheadline is an exaggeration, to be sure. But not by much.
2023 July 21, Michael Anton, “The Pessimistic Case for the Future”, in Compact, archived from the original on 26 Mar 20241 more example
The March 5, 1978 issue of National Reader […] contained an exciting front page headline — "Most Major Hollywood Stars Are Gay or Bisexual!!!!" Splashed on the cover are photos of Rock Hudson, Shaun and David Cassidy, […] and, last but not least, Lily Tomlin. In the top right hand corner is the subheadline — "Finally Shocking Truth Can Be Told!"
1978 April 8, Eric Rogers, “Speaking Out”, in Gay Community News, page 5
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA smaller, secondary headline that usually elaborates on the main headline above it.
Origin
- Latinsub
- Latinsub-
- Englishsub-
- Englishheadline
- Englishsubheadline
Translations
German Unterzeile
- Unterzeilesmaller, secondary headline
Polish zdanie pod nagłówkiem
- zdanie pod nagłówkiemsmaller, secondary headline
Portuguese manchetinha
- manchetinhasmaller, secondary headline
Russian подзаголо́вок
- подзаголо́вок (podzagolóvok)smaller, secondary headline
Ukrainian підза́голо́вок
- підза́голо́вок (pidzáholóvok)smaller, secondary headline
Cite this entry
subheadline. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subheadline
“subheadline.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subheadline. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “subheadline,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subheadline.
Source: subheadline on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.