thematic

American  

[thee-mat-ik] / θiˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a theme.

2. Grammar.

   1. (of a word or words) of, relating to, or producing a theme or themes.

   2. (of a vowel) pertaining to the theme or stem: the thematic vowel ends the stem and precedes the inflectional ending of a word form, as i in Latin audiō “I hear.”

---

thematic British  

/ θɪˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of a theme or themes

2. linguistics denoting a word that is the theme of a sentence

3. grammar

   1. denoting a vowel or other sound or sequence of sounds that occurs between the root of a word and any inflectional or derivational suffixes

   2. of or relating to the stem or root of a word

---

noun

1. grammar a thematic vowel

   ``-o-'' is a thematic in the combining form ``psycho-''

Other Word Forms

• nonthematic
  adjective
• unthematic
  adjective
• nonthematically
  adverb
• thematically
  adverb
• unthematically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of thematic

1690–1700; < Greek thematikós, equivalent to themat- (stem of théma theme ) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

When you visit a museum and the cat paintings are grouped together in one room, and the fruit paintings in another, you could conclude that the curator favors a thematic arrangement, meaning grouped by topic, rather than chronologically or by artist. Thematic relationships are everywhere. You could apply a thematic arrangement to your closet, putting the 1970s disco-wear in one section and your motorcycle gear in another. When you're studying the works of Charles Dickens, finding the thematic similarities across all the novels helps you remember them more easily. That song your garage band has been working on has a thematic development, too, starting with a line of melody, changing it a little, taking it in a different direction, then returning to the theme.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thematic

A massive drawdown in stocks under the thematic investing theme of disruptive innovation is a risk to consider with such a fund, particularly if the selloff turned out to be broad across the portfolio.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

Narrative painting has always occupied museum walls, and thematic displays are increasingly common.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

It’s really no surprise that his first film in 10 years would arrive with its thematic commentary just as legible.

From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026

The exhibition, which runs through Sept. 27 and then moves to the Phillips, follows both a chronological and thematic path.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

When the curtain descends on this current wave of attention and the thematic celebrations cool down, my sisters and I will remain proud.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey