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subject

subject

2.7
A topic that people discuss or think about
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbʤɪkt/
translation icon : tema
  • Counselors must approach the subject of bullying with students in a careful and supportive manner.
  • subject matter
  • discuss the subject
  • subject of debate

She wanted to shift the subject, change the subject.

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Examples

  • Which will be the subject of discussion tomorrow.

  • Recent studies suggest that a rapprochement on this subject is possible between the two communities.

    Academic text (2008)
  • This next question is on the subject of going green.

  • So look it it was a difficult subject to address.

  • We will teach you to discuss this subject for as long as you want.

  • This was the subject of debate for weeks.

  • And it was all around the subject of compassion.

  • Senator Knight, what will your position be on the subject of human rights?

  • Whether religion impedes democracy in majority Muslim countries remains the subject of academic and policy debate.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The professor started the lecture by discussing the subject of climate change and its effects on the environment.

Synonyms

issue
vssubject
3.0

An important topic or problem people discuss

may be any area without implying importance or a problem
question
vssubject
  • Formal
1.0

The subject or topic being discussed

is broader and includes any area, not only debated points
matter
vssubject
2.0

A topic people discuss or deal with

is more general, applying to any area thought about rather than handled
topic
vssubject
1.0

A subject that people discuss, write about, or study

is a broader general term for the same idea
theme
vssubject
677 2.8

Main idea in a piece of writing, art, or talk

covers any area or point, not only main ideas in art or writing
subject matter
vssubject
72 3.8

The main topic a talk, book, or picture is about

is the general label for any area without stressing content
9 2.1

A subject people talk about in a conversation

covers any area whether or not people are talking about it
agenda item
vssubject
8 2.4

A subject listed for discussion at a meeting

is any area or matter, not only formal meeting entries
topic at hand
vssubject
5 3.4

The thing people are talking about now

applies to any area regardless of its current relevance

Compounds

The main topic a talk, book, or picture is about

16 1.0

The school subject you like most

6 3.0

A part of learning or teaching about one topic

2 6.5

A short film shown before the main movie in a cinema

An area of study at a school or university

liege subject
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who owes loyalty and service to a lord in medieval times

logical subject
  • Specialized
8.2

A person or thing that does the action a sentence talks about

grammatical subject
  • Specialized
4.1

A part of a sentence that shows what it is about and may do the action or be described

subject case
  • Specialized
7.0

The form a noun or pronoun takes when it is the subject of a verb

How Specific

detail
1.0
point
1.0
subject
2.7
issue
3.0
topic
1.0
theme
677 2.8

Surface Forms

subject singular
subjects plural

Etymology

The word subject meaning a topic or matter comes from the same parts sub- ('under') and -ject ('throw'), and originally meant 'something put under discussion'. So a subject is the thing people consider, talk about, or think about.