Theme vs. Purpose — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Theme and Purpose
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Compare with Definitions
Theme
A topic of discourse or discussion.
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
Theme
A subject of artistic representation.
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
Theme
An implicit or recurrent idea; a motif
A party with a tropical island theme.
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Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
Theme
A short composition assigned to a student as a writing exercise.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Theme
(Music) A recurring melodic element in a composition, especially a melody forming the basis of a set of variations.
Purpose
Function, role.
Theme
See topic.
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Theme
A stem.
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Theme
A subject, now especially of a talk or an artistic piece; a topic.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Theme
A recurring idea; a motif.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Theme
A concept with multiple instantiations.
Variations on the theme of entrepreneurial resourcefulness
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Theme
Any of various colors, or color palettes, in which a design is offered; (GUI) any of various skins for an app, affecting the visuals and perhaps other elements such as sound effects.
Switch to a dark theme to conserve battery power
Purpose
To discourse.
Theme
(dated) An essay written for school.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Theme
(music) The main melody of a piece of music, especially one that is the source of variations.
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
Theme
A song, or a snippet of a song, that identifies a film, a TV program, a character, etc. by playing at the appropriate time.
Purpose
Instance; example.
Theme
(grammar) The stem of a word.
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Theme
(linguistics) thematic relation of a noun phrase to a verb.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Theme
(linguistics) Theta role in generative grammar and government and binding theory.
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Theme
(linguistics) Topic, what is generally being talked about, as opposed to rheme.
Purpose
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Theme
A regional unit of organisation in the Byzantine empire.
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Theme
(transitive) To give a theme to.
We themed the birthday party around superheroes.
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Theme
To apply a theme to; to change the visual appearance and/or layout of (software).
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Theme
A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a proposition for discussion or argument; a text.
My theme is alway one and ever was.
And when a soldier was the theme, my nameWas not far off.
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
Theme
Discourse on a certain subject.
Then ran repentance and rehearsed his theme.
It was the subject of my theme.
Theme
A composition or essay required of a pupil.
Theme
A noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of a noun or verb which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) in declension or conjugation; stem.
Theme
That by means of which a thing is done; means; instrument.
Theme
The leading subject of a composition or a movement.
Theme
The subject matter of a conversation or discussion;
He didn't want to discuss that subject
It was a very sensitive topic
His letters were always on the theme of love
Theme
A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work;
It was the usual `boy gets girl' theme
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
Theme
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Theme
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed;
Thematic vowels are part of the stem
Theme
Provide with a particular theme or motive;
The restaurant often themes its menus
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