Meaning & use
subject line
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
The short line of text at the top of an email that tells the reader what the message is about.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a subject line' for one, 'subject lines' for several.
Patterns
- a clear subject line
- write a subject line
- in the subject line
Please put the meeting date in the subject line so I can find the email later.
A good subject line helps busy people decide whether to open your message.
I nearly deleted her email because the subject line looked like spam.
nouncountableformal
The heading at the start of a formal letter, document, or talk that states its topic.
Grammar: Countable and used in more formal writing as well as email.
Patterns
- under the subject line
- the subject line of something
Under the subject line 'Annual Budget', the manager listed the main figures.
The subject line of the report made its purpose clear at a glance.
Word forms
| plural | subject lines |
|---|
Common combinations
- a clear subject line
- Always use a clear subject line when you email a teacher.
- put something in the subject line
- Put your order number in the subject line.
- the subject line of an email
- The subject line of an email is the first thing people see.
- catchy subject line
- The newsletter used a catchy subject line to get more clicks.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- subject noun
- the topic that something is about
Commonly confused: subject line or headline?
subject line vs headline
A headline is the large title of a news story; a subject line is the summary line of an email or letter.
Practice
You are emailing a company about a late order. Which is the best subject line?
Choose one answer.
A good subject line states the topic briefly, so 'Order #4821 — delivery delay' tells the reader exactly what the email is about. 'Hello' is a greeting, not a subject line, and gives no information.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “subject line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.