# theme

/ˈθim/ (US) · /θˈiːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/theme
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. main idea

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

the main subject or idea in a piece of writing, a movie, or a talk.

For teachers: the central topic or underlying message within a literary, artistic, or academic work.

- The main theme of the novel is the importance of family.
- The professor argued that the theme of social isolation is central to understanding the protagonist's erratic behaviour throughout the second act.

### 2. recurring style

noun · CEFR B1

a style or decoration that is used throughout a place or an event.

For teachers: a unifying style or motif used to create a consistent atmosphere in a physical space or event.

- The birthday party had a tropical theme with palm trees and sand.
- The hotel's interior design follows a minimalist theme, using neutral colours and natural wood to create a sense of calm.

### 3. music

noun · CEFR B1

a short piece of music that is played at the start of a movie or TV show.

For teachers: a recognisable melody or musical sequence associated with a specific character, programme, or film.

- I always hum the theme song of my favourite cartoon.
- The composer introduced a haunting violin theme that recurred whenever the villain appeared on screen.

### 4. linguistics

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

the part of a sentence that contains the information you are already talking about.

For teachers: the part of a clause that provides the point of departure for the message; often contrasted with the 'rheme'.

- In the sentence 'As for the money, I lost it', the theme is 'the money'.
- Functional grammar distinguishes between the theme, which anchors the clause in context, and the rheme, which provides new information.

### 5. to design with a style

verb · CEFR B2

to design something so that it follows a specific style or idea.

For teachers: to apply a specific aesthetic or conceptual design to a physical space or digital interface.

- They decided to theme the restaurant like an old library.
- Users can theme their operating system by downloading custom icon packs and colour schemes from the community forum.

## Examples

- The main theme of the book is friendship.
- The hotel rooms are decorated with a nautical theme, featuring blue walls and wooden furniture.
- While the film is ostensibly a thriller, its underlying theme explores the psychological toll of isolation and the fragility of human memory.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.