What does "theme" mean?
A subject, now especially of a talk or an artistic piece; a topic.
Theme
/θiːm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A subject, now especially of a talk or an artistic piece; a topic.
- Grammar: theme is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: motif, subject, topic, accidence.
- Usage evidence: The principal theme of the book is the American Revolution.
How to use "theme"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "theme" 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 "theme" 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 "theme" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "theme" 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 "theme" is acting as noun, verb 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 "motif" 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 "theme", 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 A subject, now especially of a talk or an artistic piece; a topic.
""Had not you once a beautiful daughter, named Mary?" said the stranger. "It is a heartrending question, man," said Andrew; "but certes, I had once a beloved daughter named Mary." "What became of her?" asked the stranger. Andrew shook his head, turned round, and began to move away; it was a theme that his heart could not brook."
- 2 a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work wordnet
- 3 A recurring idea; a motif.; A concept with multiple instantiations.
"variations on the theme of entrepreneurial resourcefulness"
- 4 (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed wordnet
- 5 A recurring idea; a motif.; Any of various colors, or color palettes, in which a design is offered; (graphical user interface) any of various skins for an app, affecting the visuals and perhaps other elements such as sound effects.
"switch to a dark theme to conserve battery power"
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 an essay (especially one written as an assignment) wordnet
- 7 An essay written for school. dated
"Father Dolan came in today and pandied me because I was not writing my theme."
- 8 the subject matter of a conversation or discussion wordnet
- 9 The main melody of a piece of music, especially one that is the source of variations.
- 10 (music) melodic subject of a musical composition wordnet
- 11 A song, or a snippet of a song, that identifies a film, a TV program, a character, etc. by playing at the appropriate time.
- 12 An additional puzzle within the crossword, typically involving a set of non-standard clues or answers.
- 13 The stem of a word.
- 14 Thematic relation of a noun phrase to a verb.
- 15 Theta role in generative grammar and government and binding theory.
- 16 Topic, what is generally being talked about.
- 17 A regional unit of organisation in the Byzantine empire.
Verb
- 1 To give a theme to. transitive
"We themed the birthday party around superheroes."
- 2 provide with a particular theme or motive wordnet
- 3 To apply a theme to; to change the visual appearance and/or layout of (software). transitive
Example
"The principal theme of the book is the American Revolution."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "theme"?
Common synonyms include: motif, subject, topic, accidence, action, activity theme.
How do you use "theme" in a sentence?
The principal theme of the book is the American Revolution.
How do you pronounce "theme"?
Pronounced /θiːm/.
Etymology
From Middle English teme, from Old French teme, tesme (French thème), from Latin thema, from Ancient Greek θέμα (théma), from τίθημι (títhēmi, “I put, place”), reduplicative from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put, place, do”) (whence also English do). Doublet of thema.