subject matter
Americannoun
-
the substance of a discussion, book, writing, etc., as distinguished from its form or style.
-
the matter that is subject to some action.
-
the matter out of which a thing is formed.
noun
Etymology
Origin of subject matter
First recorded in 1590–1600
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It goes deeper and darker, and the subject matter isn’t just broken hearts this time around.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
Its success is perhaps even more surprising given its subject matter - UK politics.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Falade said he used that approach because the gruesome subject matter of the questions he was asking might raise red flags if they were tracked more widely.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Measure gravity by the statute’s subject matter rather than the defendant’s conduct and proportionality review approves everything.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026
In experiments, children who are asked to read a passage and are then tested on it will invariably score higher than children asked to watch a video of the same subject matter.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
