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theme

theme

715 2.8
Main idea in a piece of writing, art, or talk
  • noun
  • /θim/
: tema
  • Unity is a common theme that emerges in many of his paintings.
  • main theme
  • central theme
  • overarching theme

Yeah, that's a very sad theme that keeps coming up.

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Examples

  • So public health is a major theme of our class.

  • Moral distress in nursing is a common theme related to the work of practicing nurses.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And this this month, the theme is garden play.

  • I will take up the theme of the politics of fear.

  • The theme is social media stars.

  • The problem is the theme is controversial.

  • It's consistent with the theme that I'm pursuing.

  • That's a great theme for a show.

  • The texts were selected because they illuminated the themes chosen for study during the institute.

    Academic text (2012)
  • I'm Shane and today's theme is all about dating.

Synonyms

message
vstheme
∞ 1.0

The main idea someone wants to say in speech, writing, or art

is broader and covers the general subject or idea in creative works
subject
vstheme
∞ 2.7

A topic that people discuss or think about

is narrower, pointing to the single central idea communicated in the work
topic
vstheme
∞ 1.0

A subject that people discuss, write about, or study

is more specific, focusing on the central idea within the broader subject
substance
vstheme
172 4.3

The main idea of something said or written

is broader, covering an artwork's subject and overall idea beyond essential meaning
subject matter
vstheme
77 3.8

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

is the specific main idea within the wider content rather than overall content
key point
vstheme
47 3.1

A main idea in a talk or report

is broader, naming the overall subject or message of an entire creative work
effect
vstheme
  • Literature
40 3.4

The main idea expressed in a speech or piece of writing

is the overall subject or guiding idea of a creative work, not only expressed meaning
motif
vstheme
  • Literature
24 5.9

A theme or idea that appears again and again in stories, paintings and music

is the overall main idea of a work rather than a repeated detail or pattern
keynote
vstheme
1 4.2

The main idea of a speech, book, or discussion

is more general, applying to any creative work's main subject rather than only speeches
main concept
vstheme
1 3.4

The most important idea in a discussion or text

is used more for creative works, covering an artwork's central idea
thema
vstheme
1 9.1

The main idea of a talk, text, or piece of music

is the broader term for the overall idea or message in creative works

Compounds

57 1.6

A park with rides and shows based on one story or idea

52 2.5

A short piece of music that plays at the start of a TV show or for a performer

2 1.8

A main idea that decides the decorations, activities, and style of a party

musical theme
  • Specialized
1 3.4

The main tune that represents a person or idea in a piece of music

melodic theme
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A main tune that returns and shapes a musical piece

A big idea about life, meaning and right and wrong shown in books and films

A theme in stories or art that comes from the Bible

An idea about death and what it means for people

An idea in stories about right and wrong and what people choose

girlie theme
  • Informal
1 8.1

A decorative style with pink, lace and flowers

Acherontic theme
  • Literature
9.9

A dark, sad mood that suggests the world of the dead

A romantic style that uses Persian music, poetry and colours

A topic about the life, culture, and identity of Jewish people

A decoration style with bright colors, fun shapes, and cartoon characters

A topic that supports and welcomes transgender people

How Central

theme
715 2.8
topic
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

theme singular
themes plural

Etymology

Theme comes from the Greek thema, meaning 'something put down' or 'a set topic'. It shares the same root as thesis, so think of a theme as the main idea 'placed' at the centre of a story, which is why it names a book's or film's main message.