thesis
English meaning: Thesis
Definition
A thesis is the central idea that a piece of writing tries to prove. It can also mean a long research paper written for a degree.
Example
“State your thesis clearly in the first paragraph.”
Another example: “She spent three years researching and writing her doctoral thesis.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun for the central claim a piece of writing argues for ('the thesis of the essay'), and also a long research paper for a degree ('a doctoral thesis'). Fairly formal and academic. The plural is 'theses'. Contrasts with 'antithesis'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek 'thesis' meaning a setting down or proposition.
Synonyms
- argument
- proposition
- dissertation
- contention
Antonyms / Opposites
- antithesis
Related Words
- antithesis
- habilitation
- dissertation
- postdoctoral
- doctoral
- supervision
- entitled
- phd
- advisor
- doctorate
- topic
- supervisor
Common Collocations
- central thesis
- defend a thesis
- write a thesis
- thesis statement
- master's thesis
- doctoral thesis
Word Forms
thesis (n, pl. theses)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
15% of 200 = 30 · 15 is 7.5% of 200
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B