Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rheme
noun
/ˈriː.miː/
Definition
The part of a sentence that provides new information about the subject, typically following the theme.
Examples
- In the sentence ‘The car is red,’ ‘is red’ is the rheme because it gives new information about ‘the car.’
- ‘She likes ice cream’ has ‘likes ice cream’ as the rheme, telling us something new about ‘she.’
Meaning
In linguistics, a rheme is the component of a sentence that conveys the core message or new information to the reader or listener, contrasting with the theme, which is the part already known or assumed.
Synonyms
- Predicate
- Comment
- New information
