How to pronounce theme
Say it like THEEM. Theme is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce theme. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THEEM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Theme pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THEEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of theme
American and British speakers say theme in essentially the same way: /θim/ in the US and /θiːm/ in the UK.
British respelling: THEEM.
What does theme mean?
- the subject matter of a conversation or discussion“he didn't want to discuss that subject”“it was a very sensitive topic”
- a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work“it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme”
- (music) melodic subject of a musical composition“the theme is announced in the first measures”“the accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it”
- provide with a particular theme or motive“the restaurant often themes its menus”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with theme
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of theme.
Questions about saying theme
How do you pronounce theme?
Say THEEM. The American pronunciation is /θim/. In British English it is /θiːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in theme?
Theme is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: THEEM.
Do Americans and Brits say theme the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /θim/ and the British form is /θiːm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.