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thesis

THEE-siss /ˈθiː.sɪs/

nounB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

academicformal

A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be proved; also a long dissertation.

Refers both to the central argument of an essay and to a formal graduate dissertation.

The story behind the word. Directly from Greek thesis ('a setting down, placing, or proposition') from tithenai ('to put, place'). In ancient Greek rhetoric, a thesis was a general proposition set down for formal debate.

Word relationships

proposition: A proposition is a statement put forward for consideration, while thesis carries stronger weight as a main central claim.
dissertation: Dissertation refers specifically to a lengthy written document, while thesis can mean either the core argument or the document.

antithesis: Antithesis represents the direct opposite or negation of a thesis.

Commonly confused with

hypothesis: A hypothesis is a tentative testable prediction, whereas a thesis is an argued stance backed by evidence.

Word family

theses (noun): Plural form of thesis.
thematic (adjective): Relating to a particular theme or thesis.

Collocations

thesis statement
defend a thesis
doctoral thesis
master's thesis

Example sentences

"A strong thesis statement must take a clear position that invites debate rather than simply stating an uncontested fact." Academic Writing
"After three years of intensive archival research, she successfully defended her doctoral thesis before the faculty committee." Graduate Studies

Memory hook

SET DOWN your THESIS before you write your paper. The central claim set down for debate.

When not to use

Do not use for a simple summary of facts lacking a central unifying claim.

Fun facts

Martin Luther famously nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the Wittenberg castle door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation.