thematic

adjective

the·​mat·​ic thi-ˈma-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a theme

2

a

: of or relating to the stem of a word

b

of a vowel : being the last part of a word stem before an inflectional ending

thematically

thi-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of thematic in a Sentence

the thematic development in the story

Recent Examples on the Web

This immediacy also strengthens the potency all the thematic threads Luigi explores. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026

But, like any method, this one risks becoming a mere habit, ossifying into a new convention both visual and thematic. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026

But Le Grand Dîner doesn’t — yet — entail the spectacle of the Met Gala in New York City, where A-List celebrities (but mostly their stylists) attempt to solve the year’s thematic dress code in the most social media-grabbing way. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

If the killers really were motivated by nostalgia, as Mindy suggests in her perfunctory (but mercifully brief) meta-monologue, there would be a thematic through-line to latch on to. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek thematikos, from themat-, thema theme

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thematic

• thematic apperception test

Rhymes for thematic

• asthmatic
• chromatic
• climatic
• dogmatic
• dramatic
• ecstatic
• emphatic
• erratic
• eustatic
• fanatic
• hepatic
• lymphatic