What is the Latin word for topic?

The usual Latin words for “topic” are argūmentum, quaestiō, contrōversia; also disceptātiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“topic” in Latin

argūmentumargument (as in an argument for a position); evidence, a proof; a point, a theme; a topic, thesis quaestiōproblem; seeking, search; inquiry, investigation, questioning, question contrōversiaa quarrel, dispute, debate; lawsuit; contradiction disceptātiōdispute, disputation, debate, discussion

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

topic

argumentum (subject-matter, argument; ☞ not materia in this sense): locus communis (commonplace): quaestio: controversia: res controversa: quod cadit in controversiam or disceptationem (subject under discussion).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for topic?: The usual Latin words for “topic” are argūmentum, quaestiō, contrōversia; also disceptātiō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.