Theme
/θiːm/noun
A subject, topic, or unifying idea in a work, discussion, or design.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, the root behind *theme* is tied to *tithēmi*, “to place, set, put,” the same root family that also gave English words like *thesis* and *prothesis*—so a “theme” is, at its core, something deliberately laid into position.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheh₁-
“to put, place, set”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τίθημι (tithēmi)
“I place, put, set”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θέμα (thema)
“that which is placed; a proposition, subject”
Late Latin
Latin
thema
“subject, topic”
Late Old English / Middle English
English
theme
“subject of discourse, topic”
Modern English
English
theme
“a central subject or unifying idea”
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