A topic is a particular subject that you discuss or write about.
The weather is a constant topic of conversation in Britain.
The main topic for discussion is political union.
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
Synonyms: subject, point, question, issue More Synonyms of topic
topic in British English
(ˈtɒpɪk)
noun
1.
a subject or theme of a speech, essay, book, etc
2.
a subject of conversation; item of discussion
3.
(in rhetoric, logic, etc) a category or class of arguments or ideas which may be drawn on to furnish proofs
Word origin
C16: from Latin topica translating Greek ta topika, literally: matters relating to commonplaces, title of a treatise by Aristotle, fromtopoi, pl of topos place, commonplace
topic in American English
(ˈtɑpɪk)
noun
1. Obsolete
a.
a class or category of considerations or arguments on which a rhetorician may draw
b.
one such consideration or argument
2.
the subject of a paragraph, essay, speech, etc.
3.
a subject for discussion or conversation
4.
a heading or item in an outline
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈsubject
Word origin
L topica < Gr ta topika, title of a work by Aristotle < topikos, local, concerning < topoi, commonplaces < topos, place < IE base *top-, to arrive, goal > OE thafian, to endure
COBUILD Collocations
topic
controversial topic
sensitive topic
Examples of 'topic' in a sentence
topic
This week our main topic focuses on a big treat - concert tickets.
The Sun (2017)
We're proud of talking about the taboo topics.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In science, the topic of her book, these barriers are cultural and economic.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Their conversation topic, some say ironically, will be responsive leadership.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
America generally does move on to other topics when the subject of Saudi Arabia is raised.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So what is it about the topic that has drawn them?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Making money work hard is one constant topic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You may define and then refine your topic.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
So it becomes their sole topic of conversation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The book provides sermon topics and themes for worship services.
Christianity Today (2000)
These are two important topics of this book.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
Be the individual who has access to all the information on a particular topic or area.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The questions have been put under a few headings representing the main topic areas.
Fletcher, Clive How to Face Interviews (1981)
These topics are discussed in this and following chapters.
Irwin, Ann Stammering in Young Children (1988)
Liberals are always accused of changing the subject when the topic of immigration comes up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a topic of conversation for the naturally curious players.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The conversations centre around three main topics.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Crowds flocked to see this curious exhibit and it quickly became a topic of conversation in fashionable society.
Andrew Bridgeford 1066: and the Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry (2004)
One of the best schools visited by the researchers sent parents a maths newsletter each term focusing on particular topics.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All these questions have important meanings for history, and they may provide topics for original research.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
You can link together themes and topics with metaphors, rather like composers use music in an opera.
O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John Training with N.L.P. (1994)
A topic or a subject does not have a sake.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If the pair decide that politics is off the agenda, perhaps a safer topic of conversation may lie in a shared past.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
topic
British English: topic /ˈtɒpɪk/ NOUN
A topic is a particular subject that you write about or discuss.
The weather is a common topic of conversation.
American English: topic
Arabic: مَوْضُوع
Brazilian Portuguese: tópico
Chinese: 话题
Croatian: tema
Czech: téma
Danish: emne
Dutch: onderwerp
European Spanish: tema asunto
Finnish: aihe
French: sujet
German: Thema
Greek: θέμα συζήτησης
Italian: argomento
Japanese: 話題
Korean: 주제
Norwegian: emne
Polish: temat
European Portuguese: tópico
Romanian: subiectde discuție
Russian: тема
Latin American Spanish: tema
Swedish: ämne
Thai: หัวข้อ
Turkish: konu
Ukrainian: тема
Vietnamese: chủ đề
Chinese translation of 'topic'
topic
(ˈtɔpɪk)
n(c)
话(話)题(題) (huàtí) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
a subject of a speech, book, conversation, etc.
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
Synonyms
subject
It was I who first raised the subject of moving to Canada.
point
You have missed the main point of my argument.
question
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
issue
Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues?
matter
It was a private matter.
theme
The novel's central theme is obsession.
text
His work served as the text of secret debates.
thesis
His central thesis is that it's crucial to document as many dying languages as possible.
subject matter
Additional synonyms
in the sense of issue
Definition
a topic of interest or discussion
Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues?
Synonyms
topic,
point,
matter,
problem,
business,
case,
question,
concern,
subject,
affair,
argument,
theme,
controversy,
can of worms (informal)
in the sense of matter
Definition
an event, situation, or subject
It was a private matter.
Synonyms
situation,
thing,
issue,
concern,
business,
question,
event,
subject,
affair,
incident,
proceeding,
episode,
topic,
transaction,
occurrence
in the sense of point
Definition
the essential idea in an argument or discussion
You have missed the main point of my argument.
Synonyms
essence,
meaning,
subject,
question,
matter,
heart,
theme,
import,
text,
core,
burden,
drift,
thrust,
proposition,
marrow,
crux,
gist,
main idea,
nub,
pith
Synonyms of 'topic'
topic
Explore 'topic' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of question
Definition
a point at issue
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
Synonyms
issue,
point,
matter,
subject,
problem,
debate,
proposal,
theme,
motion,
topic,
proposition,
bone of contention,
point at issue
in the sense of text
His work served as the text of secret debates.
Synonyms
subject,
matter,
topic,
argument,
theme,
thesis,
motif
in the sense of theme
Definition
the main idea or topic in a discussion or lecture
The novel's central theme is obsession.
Synonyms
subject,
idea,
topic,
matter,
argument,
text,
burden,
essence,
thesis,
subject matter,
keynote,
gist,
through-line (Australian, US, Canadian)
in the sense of thesis
Definition
an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
His central thesis is that it's crucial to document as many dying languages as possible.