theme
theem
Theme (noun) means the main subject or topic of a talk, book, or piece of art. Example: “The theme of her speech was resilience.”
noun
1
The main subject or topic of a talk, book, or piece of art.
"The theme of her speech was resilience."
"Loneliness is a recurring theme in his novels."
"The festival's theme this year is protecting the oceans."
2
A visual or color style applied to a design, app, or website.
"She switched her phone to a dark theme to save battery."
"You can change the theme of the website in the settings menu."
"The blog uses a bright theme with green headings."
3
A short recurring piece of music that identifies a film, show, or character.
"Everyone recognizes the theme from that movie."
"The detective show has a theme that is easy to hum."
"As soon as the theme started, the children ran to the television."
How to use theme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe central subject something is about, or a visual/musical style tied to it.
Common pairings
central theme
theme song
dark theme
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Word forms
- Plural
- themes
- Third person singular
- themes
- Past tense
- themed
Fill the gap
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The _____ of her speech was resilience.
Etymology
From Greek théma, "something laid down or proposed," from tithēmi, "to put, place."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for theme
See all rhymes for theme →Frequently asked questions
What does “theme” mean?
The word “theme” means the main subject or topic of a talk, book, or piece of art. In plain terms, the central subject something is about, or a visual/musical style tied to it.
How do you pronounce “theme”?
“Theme” is pronounced theem (/θiːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “theme” in a sentence?
Here is “theme” used in a sentence: “The theme of her speech was resilience.”
What part of speech is “theme”?
“Theme” is a noun.
Where does the word “theme” come from?
The word “theme” comes from Greek. From Greek théma, "something laid down or proposed," from tithēmi, "to put, place.".
Is “theme” a common word?
“Theme” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “theme” have?
“Theme” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main subject or topic of a talk, book, or piece of art.
What is the difference between a theme and a topic?
A topic is what a work is literally about on the surface — its subject, such as war or family. A theme is the deeper idea or message the work conveys about that topic, such as 'war destroys innocence.' In short, the topic is the subject and the theme is the point being made.
What is the difference between a theme and a motif?
A theme is the central idea or message of a work. A motif is a recurring element — an image, symbol, phrase, or situation — that appears throughout and helps develop that theme. The motifs are the repeated details, while the theme is the larger meaning they build toward together.
What is an example of a theme?
Common themes include love, loss, justice, ambition, coming of age, and the struggle between good and evil. For instance, many classic novels explore the theme that unchecked ambition leads to downfall. A theme is usually expressed as an idea or observation about life, not just a single word.
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