theme

[ theem ]

noun

1. a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic:

   The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.

   Synonyms: text, thesis

2. a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.
3. a short, informal essay, especially a school composition.

   Synonyms: paper

4. Music.
   1. a principal melodic subject in a musical composition.
   2. a short melodic subject from which variations are developed.
5. Grammar. the element common to all or most of the forms of an inflectional paradigm, often consisting of a root with certain formative elements or modifications. Compare stem ¹( def 16 ).
6. Linguistics. topic ( def 4 ).
7. Also an administrative division of the Byzantine Empire.

adjective

1. having a unifying theme:

   a theme restaurant decorated like a spaceship.

verb (used with object)

, themed, them·ing.

1. to provide with a theme.

theme

/ θiːm /

noun

1. an idea or topic expanded in a discourse, discussion, etc
2. (in literature, music, art, etc) a unifying idea, image, or motif, repeated or developed throughout a work
3. music a group of notes forming a recognizable melodic unit, often used as the basis of the musical material in a composition
4. a short essay, esp one set as an exercise for a student
5. linguistics the first major constituent of a sentence, usually but not necessarily the subject. In the sentence history I do like, "history" is the theme of the sentence, even though it is the object of the verb
6. See stem, root
   grammar another word for root 1 stem 1
7. (in the Byzantine Empire) a territorial unit consisting of several provinces under a military commander
8. modifier planned or designed round one unifying subject, image, etc

   a theme holiday

verb

1. tr to design, decorate, arrange, etc, in accordance with a theme

theme

1. A central idea in a piece of writing or other work of art: “The theme of desperation is found throughout his novels .” Also a short composition assigned to a student as a writing exercise.

Derived Forms

• ˈthemeless, adjective

Other Words From

• themeless adjective
• subtheme noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of theme¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English teme, theme (from Old French teme ), from Medieval Latin thema, Latin, from Greek théma “proposition, deposit,” akin to tithénai “to put, set down”

Word History and Origins

Origin of theme¹

C13: from Latin thema, from Greek: deposit, from tithenai to lay down

Synonym Study

See subject.

Example Sentences

In fact, Google started testing it in December but over the past few days more and more have been seeing this theme.

From Search Engine Land

As a group-show theme, “Red” may seem foolproof, but it entails a risk.

From Washington Post

As Google rolls out dark theme to more searchers, the click through rate on your ads may be impacted.

From Search Engine Land

That was the theme of the 2004 movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

From Science News For Students

It has signed an IP partnership with Hasbro to launch a Nerf-themed game that has been working quite well.

From TechCrunch

Will the Pam/Krieger relationship be an ongoing theme this season?

From The Daily Beast

The principle that outsiders should be welcomed and provided for was a cross-cultural theme in ancient cultures.

From The Daily Beast

It goes without saying the theme-song “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

From The Daily Beast

Hagan has made this a central theme in her ads since Tillis is the speaker of the state assembly.

From The Daily Beast

In the comics, a theme that recurs again and again is Wonder Woman being tied up, then breaking free.

From The Daily Beast

Martinez Camposʼ theme of “political action combined with military force” held no weight.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Pell was a very elegant and accomplished woman; her manners were the theme of universal admiration in our neighbourhood.

From Project Gutenberg

Here again we have the landscape of Lorraine and the eternal and infinitely varied theme of rural labour.

From Project Gutenberg

Glimpses of the cathedral towers through the rows of odd buildings is a favorite theme with the artists.

From Project Gutenberg

The coming of the storm (repetition of the theme which follows the adagio and the further development of it).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• argument
• line
• matter
• motif
• point
• problem
• question
• stuff
• subject
• text
• thought
• topic