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# theme

«theme» in Mova's school dictionary: **the main subject or idea of a talk, book, lesson, party…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 3 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (theme, themes); adjective use (theme park, theme song); verb (themed — decorated in one style)

### meaning for a pupil

1) A theme is the main subject or idea of a talk, book, lesson, party or piece of art. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#m1)

2) A theme is a big message or lesson a story is about, such as friendship, courage or kindness. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#m2)

3) A theme tune or theme song is the music always played with a TV show or film. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In English lessons, pupils find the theme of a story: not what happens (the plot) but what it is really about, like «good wins over evil» or «be yourself». At school, topics can have themes (a space-themed week). In everyday life, theme parks (Disneyland), themed birthday parties and theme songs. Phrases: the theme of, main theme, theme park, theme tune, themed party.

### examples

- The theme of the story is friendship. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x1)
- Our class party had a pirate theme. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x2)
- We went on the big rides at the theme park. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x3)
- I can hum the theme tune of that show. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x4)
- Courage is a theme in many fairy tales. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x5)
- The theme for this term's art project is the sea. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x6)
- What do you think is the main theme of the poem? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x7)
- Thus ends this charming story, which was a favourite theme with all the classic authors. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/#x8)

### note

Pronounced «theem» with soft th. Countable: themes. Trap: theme is not the same as plot — the plot is what happens, the theme is the idea underneath. Adjective: thematic; «themed» means decorated around a theme.

### In the corpora

- [An "E" next to a song means explicit, usually swearing or adult themes; many songs have a clean version.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/arts/5-the-songs-on-everyones-phone-streaming-playlists-earworms/13/)
- [Mia organised a building competition with three themes and a fair rule: nobody judges their own build.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/424-teamwork-strategy-and-minecraft-building/20/)
- [A theme park posts its wait time, 45 minutes, so you can choose another ride.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/world/109-five-more-minutes-and-waiting-games/9/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «theme» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/theme/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.