What does "thebes" mean?
plural of thebe
Thebes
/θiːbz/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: plural of thebe
- Grammar: thebes is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ancient thebes, theban city, thebe, waset.
- Usage evidence: The Sphinx had eaten hundreds of people on their way to the city of Thebes, because they could not answer the riddle the cunning Sphinx had asked them.
How to use "thebes"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "thebes" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "thebes" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "thebes" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "thebes" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "thebes" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ancient thebes" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "thebes", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 plural of thebe form-of, plural
Proper Noun
- 1 A city in central Greece, the capital city of Boeotia and an important political centre in antiquity.
- 2 An ancient city and archaeological site in Upper Egypt, having functioned as capital city at times during the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The Sphinx had eaten hundreds of people on their way to the city of Thebes, because they could not answer the riddle the cunning Sphinx had asked them."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "thebes"?
Common synonyms include: ancient thebes, theban city, thebe, waset.
How do you use "thebes" in a sentence?
The Sphinx had eaten hundreds of people on their way to the city of Thebes, because they could not answer the riddle the cunning Sphinx had asked them.
How do you pronounce "thebes"?
Pronounced /θiːbz/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Θῆβαι (Thêbai), from two different sources. The name of the Greek city is further derived from Ionic-Attic Θήβη (Thḗbē), from Mycenaean Greek 𐀳𐀣 (te-qa /Tʰēgʷā/), from Proto-Hellenic *Tʰēgʷā, while the name of the Egyptian city is from Egyptian Demotic Egyptian tꜣ-jpy (“Thebes”, literally “the temple”), from earlier Egyptian tꜣ (“the”) + i-p:t-O45 (jpt, “Luxor”, literally “inner sanctum”).