Have you ever typed “job tittle” instead of “job title”? Or wondered whether “tittle” is simply a misspelling of “title”? You’re not alone.
Thousands of people search for title vs. tittle every month because the two words look almost identical. They differ by just one letter, yet their meanings couldn’t be more different. One is an everyday English word you use constantly. The other is a legitimate but highly specialized term that most people rarely encounter outside typography, linguistics, or biblical references.
Understanding the difference matters. Whether you’re writing a resume, publishing a blog post, preparing academic work, or simply improving your English, using the correct word helps you communicate clearly and professionally.
This guide explains title vs. tittle in plain English. You’ll learn what each word means, where it came from, when to use it, common mistakes to avoid, and simple memory tricks that will help you remember the difference forever.
Title vs. Tittle: What’s the Difference?
The difference between title and tittle is straightforward once you understand their meanings.
A title refers to the name of a book, article, movie, song, document, or other creative work. It can also describe an official position, rank, honor, championship, or legal ownership.
A tittle, on the other hand, is a tiny mark in writing. Most commonly, it refers to the small dot above lowercase i and j. The word also appears in the biblical phrase “jot and tittle,” where it represents the smallest detail.
Although many people accidentally write tittle when they mean title, the two words are not interchangeable.
Quick takeaway: If you’re talking about a book, article, job, movie, or heading, the correct word is almost always title.
Title vs. Tittle: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Title | Tittle |
| Definition | Name, designation, ownership, or honor | Small mark in writing, especially the dot above i or j |
| Part of Speech | Noun | Noun |
| Everyday Use | Very common | Very rare |
| Common Contexts | Books, articles, jobs, movies, legal ownership | Typography, handwriting, linguistics, Bible |
| Pronunciation | TIE-tuhl | TIH-tuhl |
| Frequency | Used daily | Used mainly in specialized contexts |
At first glance, these words seem almost identical. However, their meanings belong to entirely different areas of the English language.
What Does “Title” Mean?
The word title has several meanings, all connected by one idea: identifying or recognizing something.
Depending on the context, a title may identify a piece of creative work, indicate someone’s role, establish ownership, or recognize an achievement.
Definition
According to modern English dictionaries, a title is:
- The name of a book, article, movie, song, or other work.
- An official designation or rank.
- A legal right to ownership.
- A championship or honor.
Because of its versatility, title appears in everyday conversations, professional writing, legal documents, education, entertainment, and sports.
The Origin and History of “Title”
The word title traces its roots to the Latin word titulus, meaning an inscription, heading, label, or designation.
From Latin, the word passed into Old French before entering Middle English. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond inscriptions to include names, honors, legal rights, and official positions.
Today, it remains one of the most commonly used nouns in English.
Common Meanings of “Title”
Although the word stays the same, its meaning changes depending on context.
Title as the Name of a Work
This is the meaning most people encounter every day.
Examples include:
- Book titles
- Blog titles
- Article titles
- Movie titles
- Podcast titles
- Song titles
- Video titles
Examples:
- The title of the novel immediately caught my attention.
- She changed the article title to improve SEO.
- His YouTube video title increased click-through rates.
A good title captures attention while accurately describing the content.
Title as a Professional Position
Many occupations include official titles.
Examples include:
- Project Manager
- Marketing Director
- Software Engineer
- Chief Executive Officer
- Professor
- Editor-in-Chief
Example sentences:
- Her job title changed after the promotion.
- His official title is Senior Data Analyst.
- The company announced several new executive titles.
On resumes and LinkedIn profiles, job titles help employers understand your experience.
Title as an Honor
Some titles recognize status, achievement, or nobility.
Examples include:
- King
- Queen
- Duke
- Sir
- Dame
- President
Example:
The queen granted him the title of Sir for his public service.
Title as Legal Ownership
In law and real estate, title refers to ownership rights.
Examples include:
- Property title
- Vehicle title
- Land title
Owning the title means you legally own the asset.
For example:
- She transferred the car title after selling the vehicle.
- The bank held the property title until the mortgage was paid.
Title in Sports
Athletes compete for championships, often called titles.
Examples include:
- World title
- Heavyweight title
- League title
- Championship title
Examples:
- The team defended its league title.
- She won her third national title.
Sports journalists use this meaning every day.
Also Read This: Really vs Realy: Which Spelling Is Correct?
Examples of “Title” in Everyday Sentences
Understanding grammar becomes easier when you see words used naturally.
Publishing
- The article title summarizes the main idea.
- Choose a title that readers remember.
- Every chapter has its own title.
Business
- Update your job title after the promotion.
- Her professional title appears on every email.
Education
- The thesis title clearly explains the research topic.
- Students often spend hours choosing the perfect paper title.
Entertainment
- The movie title became famous before release.
- The song title appeared on streaming platforms.
Legal
- Always verify the property title before purchasing land.
- The vehicle title must match the owner’s information.
Notice something interesting?
Every example refers to a name, designation, or ownership—not a tiny mark in writing.
What Does “Tittle” Mean?
Unlike title, the word tittle belongs to a much smaller corner of the English language.
It is a real dictionary word, although most native English speakers rarely use it in everyday conversation.
Definition
A tittle is a small distinguishing mark in writing.
In modern typography, it usually means the dot above lowercase letters i and j.
For example:
- i
- j
The small dots above both letters are called tittles.
Many people are surprised to learn that this tiny dot has its own official name.
The Origin and History of “Tittle”
The word tittle comes from the Latin titulus, which originally referred to a small inscription or mark.
Over time, English adopted tittle to describe tiny written marks.
Its meaning narrowed considerably, and today it mainly appears in typography and biblical language.
The Two Accepted Meanings of “Tittle”
Although dictionaries recognize multiple definitions, only two remain relevant today.
The Dot Above “i” and “j”
This is the most common modern meaning.
Every lowercase i and j contains a tittle.
For example:
| Letter | Tittle Present? |
| i | Yes |
| j | Yes |
| l | No |
| t | No |
| k | No |
Typography professionals, font designers, and calligraphers frequently use this term.
A Tiny Amount or Small Detail
The second meaning survives mostly in literature and religious texts.
Here, tittle represents the smallest possible detail.
This meaning appears in the famous biblical expression:
“One jot or one tittle.”
The phrase emphasizes that even the smallest detail matters.
Today, people occasionally use it figuratively.
Example:
The editor didn’t change one jot or tittle of the manuscript.
This means absolutely nothing was altered.
Examples of “Tittle” in Sentences
Because tittle is uncommon, examples help clarify its meaning.
Typography examples:
- The designer enlarged the tittle above each lowercase i.
- Some modern fonts use square tittles instead of round ones.
- The handwritten tittle made the letter easier to read.
Literary examples:
- He refused to change one jot or tittle.
- Every tittle of the historical document remained intact.
- The translator preserved every jot and tittle.
Notice that none of these examples refer to books, jobs, or article headings.
Why Do People Confuse “Title” and “Tittle”?
The confusion isn’t surprising.
Several factors contribute to this common mistake.
Similar Spelling
The words differ by only one letter.
- title
- tittle
When reading quickly, most people barely notice the extra t.
Similar Pronunciation
Although dictionaries distinguish their pronunciations, casual speech often makes them sound almost identical.
This leads many people to assume they’re simply alternative spellings.
They are not.
Typing Errors
Fast typing creates mistakes.
Common examples include:
- book tittle
- movie tittle
- article tittle
- job tittle
Spell-check software usually catches these errors, although not always.
Autocorrect and Predictive Text
Mobile keyboards occasionally suggest incorrect words.
If someone repeatedly types tittle, predictive text may begin offering it automatically.
Search Engine Habits
Many internet users search exactly as they think a word sounds.
That explains why phrases like:
- job tittle
- article tittle
- blog tittle
receive thousands of searches despite being incorrect in nearly every context.
Search engines have become better at recognizing this mistake and often return results for title instead.
Title vs. Tittle: Side-by-Side Differences
| Category | Title | Tittle |
| Everyday English | Yes | Rarely |
| Books | ✔ | ✘ |
| Articles | ✔ | ✘ |
| Movies | ✔ | ✘ |
| Job Positions | ✔ | ✘ |
| Legal Ownership | ✔ | ✘ |
| Typography | ✘ | ✔ |
| Calligraphy | ✘ | ✔ |
| Bible Phrase | Rarely | ✔ |
| Dot Above i | ✘ | ✔ |
FAQs:
Is “tittle” a real word?
Yes. Tittle is a legitimate English word found in major dictionaries. It refers to the small dot above the lowercase letters i and j. It can also mean a very small detail, especially in the biblical expression “jot and tittle.”
What is the difference between title and tittle?
A title is the name of a book, article, movie, song, or document. It can also refer to a job position, honor, legal ownership, or championship. A tittle is a tiny mark in writing, most commonly the dot above a lowercase i or j. Although the words look similar, they have completely different meanings.
Is “job tittle” correct?
No. The correct phrase is job title. A job title identifies your position within an organization, such as Marketing Manager, Software Engineer, or Sales Director. Writing job tittle is a common spelling mistake.
What is the dot above the letter “i” called?
The dot above the lowercase i is called a tittle. The same term also applies to the dot above the lowercase j. This terminology is commonly used in typography, calligraphy, and font design.
Is “book tittle” correct?
No. The correct expression is book title. The word title refers to the name of a book, while tittle has an entirely different meaning related to writing marks.
Conclusion:
The difference between title and tittle is much simpler than their similar spellings suggest. A title is the name of a book, article, movie, song, document, or other creative work.
It can also refer to a person’s job designation, an honorary rank, legal ownership, or a championship. Because of its broad range of meanings, title is one of the most frequently used words in everyday English.
A tittle, by contrast, is a specialized term. It refers to the small dot above the lowercase letters i and j, and it also appears in the well-known biblical phrase “jot and tittle,” where it symbolizes the smallest detail.
Outside typography, calligraphy, linguistics, and religious discussions, you’re unlikely to encounter the word in everyday writing.
If you’re ever unsure which word to use, remember this simple rule: if you’re naming something, use “title.” If you’re talking about the tiny dot above an “i” or “j,” use “tittle.” That one distinction will help you avoid one of the most common spelling mistakes in English and ensure your writing remains clear, accurate, and professional.
