theme
Thread through everything
A theme is any identifiable characteristic that can be observed throughout something.
A musical theme, for example, might occur multiple times in a work of many movements.
A theme can also be a main idea, or an idea closely associated with someone or something: She repeatedly emphasized the themes of dedication and hard work to bring good results.
When theme precedes a noun, it is usually to identify something as having an obvious motif, as in a theme party or a theme restaurant.
As a verb, theme means provide an ambience to.
Subject of discussion
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- ideaMental formation
- focusConcentrated attention point
- matterSpace-occupying substance with mass
content · discourse · premise · thread · angle · slant · subject matter · throughline
Recurring arrangement or template
- repetitionAct of redoing
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
imagery · emblem · icon · hallmark · archetype · trope · device · figure
Surface for mixing pigments
- colorwayDesignated color combination offered
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
- motifRecurring thematic element
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
texture · style · scheme · concept · visual · branding · unified · cohesive
Recurring thematic phrase
- variationChange from a norm
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- refrainAbstain from acting
- codaClosing musical passage
overture · reprise · movement · development · exposition · recapitulation · counterpoint · arrangement
Clothing for portrayal
- dress codeStandards for acceptable attire
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- partyGathering for celebration
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
wedding · gala · prom · masquerade · luau · carnival · casino night · holiday
Mood of surroundings
- backdropRear stage scenery
- localeSpecific place or area
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
milieu · atmosphere · aesthetic · mood · tone · decor · staging · mise-en-scène
Imaginative mental wandering
- science fictionSpeculative fiction with technological themes
- romanceLove and its excitement
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
mystery · drama · comedy · western · noir · action · adventure · superhero
Vehicle maintenance professional
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
- dungeon crawlUnderground maze exploration genre
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
conquest · betrayal · cooperative · campaign · scenario · quest · adventure · narrative
topic
Subject of discussion
matter · content · discourse · premise · thread · angle · slant · subject matter · throughline · motif
pattern
Recurring arrangement or template
- repetitionAct of redoing
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
recurrence · imagery · emblem · icon · hallmark · archetype · trope · device · figure · convention
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- colorwayDesignated color combination offered
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
- motifRecurring thematic element
pattern · texture · style · scheme · concept · visual · branding · unified · cohesive · decorative
leitmotif
Recurring thematic phrase
coda · overture · reprise · movement · development · exposition · recapitulation · counterpoint · arrangement · composition
costume
Clothing for portrayal
- dress codeStandards for acceptable attire
- decorationObject adding visual appeal
- partyGathering for celebration
celebration · wedding · gala · prom · masquerade · luau · carnival · casino night · holiday · seasonal
ambiance
Mood of surroundings
- backdropRear stage scenery
- localeSpecific place or area
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
scene · milieu · atmosphere · aesthetic · mood · tone · decor · staging · mise-en-scène · world-building
fantasy
Imaginative mental wandering
- science fictionSpeculative fiction with technological themes
- romanceLove and its excitement
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
thriller · mystery · drama · comedy · western · noir · action · adventure · superhero · historical
mechanic
Vehicle maintenance professional
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
- dungeon crawlUnderground maze exploration genre
- civilizationAdvanced organized human society
exploration · conquest · betrayal · cooperative · campaign · scenario · quest · adventure · narrative · legacy
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- writing-related termsparagraph, sentence, word, letter, punctuation
- classificationsclassified, hierarchical, class, unclassified, categorical
- designdesign principles, functionality, emphasis, unity, graphic design
- literary elementsplot, character, setting, narrator, conflict
- Novel Writingnovelist, storyteller, fiction writer, book author, prose writer
themedigression
Veering off topic
tangent · aside · departure · excursion · parenthesis
themerandomness
Lack of predictable pattern
incoherence · disunity · fragmentation · disorder · chaos
- theme parkEntertainment destination with rides
- theme songProgram's recurring musical opener
- doctoral thesisPhD-level scholarly manuscript
- theme musicRecurring program melody
- thesis defenseOral examination of dissertation
- theme tuneProgram's identifying melody
thesis, synthetic, hypothesis, themes, epithet, anathema, theme park, themed, thematic