thesis

noun

SayTHEE-sis/ˈθisɪs//ˈθiːsɪs/

Pluraltheses

6 meanings of thesis

Practice

1
degree essaynouncountable
A long piece of writing about one subject, written to finish a college or graduate degree.
Like a big final project that shows everything you learned.
She spent two years writing her thesis on ocean pollution.
His thesis was almost a hundred pages long.
UsageSay a thesis on a topic.
Similardissertation
Note
2
nounrhetoriccountable
An idea or claim that someone says is true and tries to prove with reasons or evidence.
Like the main point you are trying to prove in an argument.
His whole thesis rests on one simple idea.
The article argues a clear thesis about climate change.
UsagePlural: theses.
Similarargument, proposition, contention, claim, hypothesis
Note
3
first stage (Hegel)nouncountable
The first stage of a reasoning method where an idea is stated, then challenged by its opposite.
In this way of reasoning, every thesis meets an idea that opposes it.
In philosophy class, Mia learned how a thesis and its opposite can join into a new idea.
UsageOften with antithesis and synthesis.
Oppositeantithesis
Note

Less common meanings

4
noun
A guess or idea that is too rough to prove, but still useful as a working rule.
5
noun
The strong, stressed beat in music or poetry, shown by lowering the hand or foot.
6
noun
The weak, unstressed part of a rhythm in poetry or music, where the voice drops.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of thesis apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Greek 'thésis', meaning 'placing' or 'position', from a verb meaning 'to place or put'. It came into English through Latin and Late Middle English.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Thesis derives from Greek thésis, meaning placing or position. en.wiktionary.org
The underlying Greek verb means to place or put. en.wiktionary.org
The word reached English through Latin and Late Middle English. en.wiktionary.org