Uncaptioned

Uncaptioned is an adjective used to describe content that does not include a caption, label, or descriptive text accompanying the item. This can apply to images, diagrams, artworks, or other media, as well as to sequences in film, video, or online posts where no explanatory text is provided. A caption typically identifies the subject, explains context, or provides attribution; when such text is absent, audiences rely on surrounding text or prior knowledge to interpret the item.

In publishing, uncaptured or uncaptioned material may be found in galleries, news archives, or digital platforms where images appear with no explicit description. While sometimes intentional for aesthetic or design reasons, the absence of a caption can reduce clarity, hinder discoverability in search systems, and complicate cataloging or citation.

From an accessibility perspective, captions and alternative text serve to communicate essential information to users who cannot view the media. An uncaptioned image should ideally include alt text or a descriptive long description; an uncaptioned video should have transcripts and captions or descriptions. Where captions are omitted, providing metadata, descriptive captions, or alt text improves accessibility and reuse.