easy
Friendship is an important theme in the story.
What does Theme mean?
A theme is a main subject or message, a unifying design idea, or a recognizable musical idea.
Dictionary definition
A theme is a main subject, recurring idea, or message explored in a discussion or creative work. It can also be the unifying idea used to decorate or design an event or place, or a recognizable melody on which music is based. In theme song, it means music closely associated with a show, person, or activity.
Example sentences
Theme in a sentence
medium
The meeting’s theme was safer travel to school.
medium
We used an ocean theme for the classroom display.
hard
The melody returns as a theme throughout the symphony.
hard
Readers infer a theme by connecting repeated choices and consequences.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Theme
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is a theme in a story?
A literary theme is a central idea or message that the work explores.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses theme in its design meaning?
Here, theme is the unifying idea used for decorations and design.
Practice 3
Choose the best word: Repeated images of open doors help develop the story’s ____ of freedom.
The repeated images support a central idea about freedom.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Theme
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THEEM
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WordTheme.
Partnoun.
MeaningTheme means A theme is a main subject or message, a unifying design idea, or a recognizable musical idea.
ExampleExample: Friendship is an important theme in the story.
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Synonyms
Words like Theme
subjectClose when theme means what a discussion, text, or artwork is mainly about.
topicClose for the matter being discussed, though a literary theme may express a broader idea about that topic.
messageClose when theme means an idea a creative work develops or communicates.
motifRelated in art and literature, but a motif is a recurring element that may help develop a theme rather than the theme itself.
melodyClose only for the recognizable musical-idea sense.
Antonym review
Does Theme have an opposite?
Theme has no single direct opposite across subject, message, design, and music senses. Minor detail and aside can contrast with a central theme but are not general antonyms.
Synonym practice
Want to practice theme synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The story's theme was kindness," then compare close word choices. Practice theme synonyms.
Word family
Theme word family
Base word
theme
noun
themes
More than one main subject, design idea, or musical idea.
adjective
thematic
Related to or organized around a theme.
adverb
thematically
In a way that relates to a theme.
adjective
themed
Designed or organized around a particular theme.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Theme
Hint for students
Ask what subject or message keeps returning, or what single idea organizes the design or music.
Common mix-up
A literary theme is not always a one-word topic. Friendship can be a topic, while a fuller theme might be that trust grows through honest choices. A recurring motif may support a theme without being identical to it.
Try it in class or at home
Read a short story and list its repeated choices, images, and outcomes. Write one possible theme as a complete thought and cite two details that support it.
Teacher prompt
Compare topic, motif, and theme in one short story. How can a repeated motif help develop a broader theme?
Word Wheel
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Learning activities
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