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theme definition

theme (t̸hēm)

noun

    1. a topic or subject, as of a lecture, sermon, essay, etc.
    2. a recurring, unifying subject or idea; motif, often one used decoratively
  2. a short essay, esp. one written as an assignment in a school course
    1. a short melody used as the subject of a musical composition
    2. a musical phrase upon which variations are developed
  4. ☆ theme song

Etymology: ME < OFr & L: OFr teme < L thema < Gr, what is laid down < base of tithenai, to put, place: see do

transitive verb themed, theming them′·ing

to give a theme to; specif., to plan according to a central theme a themed restaurant

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

theme Synonyms

theme

n.

  1. A subject

    topic, proposition, argument, thesis, text, subject matter, matter in hand, problem, question, point at issue, affair, business, point, case, thought, idea, line*, rag*, stuff*; see also issue 1, subject 1.

  2. A recurrent melody

    melody, motive, motif, leitmotif, thematic, statement, strain, air, tune, melodic subject, developed melody; see also song.

  3. A short composition

    essay, report, paper, term paper, research paper, dissertation, description, statement; see also exposition 2. See syn. study at subject.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

theme Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • conference: The theme of the conference was: " Moving Digital ID to Population Scale " .

Converse of object

  • recur: A recurring theme in her work is the romance of the inexplicable.

Adjective modifier

  • central: It is therefore a central theme for cultural studies, a basic study object.

Modifies a noun

  • tune: His theme tune was Man Of Mystery by The Shadows.

Noun used with modifier

  • cross-cutting: Sustainable development is a cross-cutting theme which cannot be left to individuals or particular divisions within departments.
theme usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

theme quotes

I'll publish, right or wrong: Fools are my theme, let satire be my song.

-Rochdale

O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull, Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full.

-Denham, SirJohn

Thetheme defeatsstructuralism, for it isanemotion.The theme of Lord of the Flies isgrief, sheer grief, grief, grief, grief.

-Golding, Sir William (Gerald)

theme quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/theme>

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theme. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/theme

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