thesis
THEE-sihs
Thesis (noun) means a statement or claim put forward and supported by argument. Example: “His thesis is that cities become healthier when they plant more trees.”
noun
1
A statement or claim put forward and supported by argument.
"His thesis is that cities become healthier when they plant more trees."
"The speaker defended her thesis against several sharp questions from the audience."
"The essay's central thesis is that education reduces poverty."
2
A long piece of research writing submitted to complete an academic degree.
"He handed in his thesis a week before the university deadline."
"She spent two years researching her doctoral thesis."
"His master's thesis examined climate change policy in Europe."
How to use thesis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the main argument of a piece of writing, or a long academic paper written to earn a degree.
UK vs US
In the UK, "thesis" usually refers to a doctoral (PhD) submission, while in the US it more often refers to a master's-level paper (with "dissertation" for the PhD).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
write a thesis
defend a thesis
thesis statement
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Word forms
- Plural
- theses
Fill the gap
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His _____ is that cities become healthier when they plant more trees.
Etymology
From Greek thesis ("a placing, proposition"), from tithemi ("to place, put").
Related words
Rhymes for thesis
nemesis
genesis
exegesis
diaeresis
anamnesis
apheresis
synthesis
antithesis
epenthesis
hypothesis
prosthesis
abiogenesis
See all rhymes for thesis →
Frequently asked questions
What does “thesis” mean?
The word “thesis” means a statement or claim put forward and supported by argument. In plain terms, either the main argument of a piece of writing, or a long academic paper written to earn a degree.
How do you pronounce “thesis”?
“Thesis” is pronounced THEE-sihs (/ˈθisɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “thesis” in a sentence?
Here is “thesis” used in a sentence: “The essay's central thesis is that education reduces poverty.”
What part of speech is “thesis”?
“Thesis” is a noun.
Where does the word “thesis” come from?
The word “thesis” comes from Greek. From Greek thesis ("a placing, proposition"), from tithemi ("to place, put").
Is “thesis” a common word?
“Thesis” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “thesis” have?
“Thesis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a statement or claim put forward and supported by argument.
What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?
Both are long pieces of research writing submitted to complete an academic degree; which label applies depends mainly on country and level. In the US, a thesis is typically written for a master's degree and a dissertation for a doctorate, while in the UK the pattern is usually reversed. Individual universities set their own terminology.
What is a thesis statement in an essay?
A thesis statement is the sentence — usually placed near the end of the introduction — that states the claim your essay will argue and support. It reflects the core sense of "thesis": a statement put forward and defended by argument. A strong thesis statement is specific and debatable, not a plain statement of fact.
What is the plural of "thesis"?
The plural is "theses," pronounced "THEE-seez." Like other Greek-derived nouns ending in -is — crisis/crises, analysis/analyses — "thesis" forms its plural by changing -is to -es. "Thesises" is not standard English.
What is the difference between a thesis and a hypothesis?
A thesis is a claim you put forward and defend with argument and evidence — you assert that it is true. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation that you set out to test and that may be disproved. Broadly, a hypothesis begins an investigation, while a thesis states an argued conclusion.
