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. 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

That the themes explored in Maguire’s novel are just as relevant 30 years after its publication speaks to just how important “Wicked” is.

From Salon

The teaser's promise that "Mother Earth is expecting" uses the language of birth, playing into the franchise's ongoing themes about motherhood.

From Salon

When Golijov visited the set in Atlanta last year, Coppola — who hadn’t seen the composer in 12 years — stopped what he was shooting and blurted out: “Osvaldo, we need a big love theme!”

From Los Angeles Times

That theme — later orchestrated with a buzzing hive of strings, solo clarinet, piano and percussion — became the soul of the whole score.

From Los Angeles Times

The musician best known for playing the guitar riff in the James Bond theme tune has died.

From BBC

Related Words

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