subject matter
Americannoun
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the substance of a discussion, book, writing, etc., as distinguished from its form or style.
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the matter that is subject to some action.
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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.
Being such a heavy role enveloped in a dark subject matter, Brammall initially didn’t believe he was the right actor for the project.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
It goes deeper and darker, and the subject matter isn’t just broken hearts this time around.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
With these landmark records, Busby also introduced new citified subject matter to bluegrass.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 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.
