English noun: theme | |||
1. | theme (communication) the subject matter of a conversation or discussion | ||
Samples | He didn't want to discuss that subject. It was a very sensitive topic. His letters were always on the theme of love. | ||
Synonyms | subject, topic | ||
Broader (hypernym) | content, message, subject matter, substance | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bone of contention, head, keynote, precedent, question | ||
2. | theme (cognition) a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work | ||
Samples | It was the usual `boy gets girl' theme. | ||
Synonyms | motif | ||
Broader (hypernym) | idea, thought | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | topos | ||
3. | theme (communication) (music) melodic subject of a musical composition | ||
Samples | The theme is announced in the first measures. The accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it. | ||
Synonyms | idea, melodic theme, musical theme | ||
Broader (hypernym) | air, line, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, strain, tune | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | motif, motive, statement, variation | ||
Domain category | music | ||
4. | theme (communication) an essay (especially one written as an assignment) | ||
Samples | He got an A on his composition. | ||
Synonyms | composition, paper, report | ||
Broader (hypernym) | essay | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | term paper | ||
5. | theme (communication) (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed | ||
Samples | Thematic vowels are part of the stem. | ||
Synonyms | base, radical, root, root word, stem | ||
Broader (hypernym) | descriptor, form, signifier, word form | ||
Domain category | linguistics | ||
English verb: theme | |||
1. | theme (possession) provide with a particular theme or motive | ||
Samples | The restaurant often themes its menus. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | furnish, provide, render, supply | ||