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

Disney’s so-called experiences business, which includes the theme parks and merchandise, saw more muted growth in the fourth quarter due to inflation, cruise line expansion costs and softer results at international parks.

From Los Angeles Times

As the future clouds for Walt Disney Co.’s lucrative theme parks business, one bright spot continues to be its cruise line.

From Los Angeles Times

Long the economic engine that has powered the company, Disney’s theme park finances have been closely watched by analysts, particularly as rival Universal plans to debut its Epic Universe theme park in Orlando next year.

From Los Angeles Times

Amazon has also opted for the theme of kindness, telling the story of a theatre caretaker whose hidden singing talent is discovered by his colleagues.

From BBC

It has been a theme that in being so focused on holding things together, and sometimes appearing to try to be all things to all people, Mr Welby has been viewed by many on both right and left as not taking a principled stand.

From BBC

Related Words

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