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Synonyms

subject matter

American  

noun

  1. the substance of a discussion, book, writing, etc., as distinguished from its form or style.

  2. the matter that is subject to some action.

  3. the matter out of which a thing is formed.

subject matter British  

noun

  1. the substance or main theme of a book, discussion, debate, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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 was the subject matter and feeling the importance of telling the story and telling the story in America in 2026," DiDonato told AFP ahead of the premiere.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

The twist is not Emma’s confession itself, but how the film contends with its dark, exquisitely nuanced subject matter in a way that is completely different from its contemporaries.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

"I was aware of the good and positivity that can come from opening up about this subject matter that's so difficult to talk about."

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Given the frequently heady subject matter, it can’t be emphasized enough how unfailingly pretty the record is.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

They require fundamentally different talents and attitudes toward material as well as subject matter.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

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.