Emphasis Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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emphasis

[ˈɛmfəsɪs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in communication

Special importance, value, or prominence given to something.

Synonyms

accent, importance, stress, weight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
emphasis	Used to highlight something significant or to draw attention to a specific point in speech or writing. She placed emphasis on the importance of studying regularly. In his speech, the senator gave special emphasis to healthcare reform.
importance	Used to describe the significance or value of something in general terms. The importance of a balanced diet cannot be overstated. He placed great importance on punctuality.
stress	Can refer to either mental or emotional strain, or the pronunciation of certain syllables in a word. Sometimes has a negative connotation when referring to mental strain. She felt a lot of stress before the exam. In the word ‘record,’ the stress is on the first syllable when it’s a noun and the second syllable when it’s a verb.
accent	Often used in language and linguistics to describe how a specific syllable or word is pronounced with greater force or to indicate a specific regional way of speaking. When you speak French, you need to remember where the accent falls in each word. She spoke with a slight British accent.
weight	Often used metaphorically to describe the importance or influence of something. It can also describe physical heaviness. His opinion carried a lot of weight in the meeting. The weight of the evidence was overwhelming.

Examples of usage

The emphasis should be placed on teamwork rather than individual achievements.
She spoke with great emphasis on the need for change.
The teacher put a lot of emphasis on the importance of proper grammar.
We need to understand the emphasis of this message to avoid misunderstandings.
The emphasis of the presentation was on sustainability and innovation.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in music

Special force or stress given to the notes or chords in music.

Synonyms

accent, accentuation, intensity, stress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
emphasis	Used to highlight the importance of something or make it more prominent. She added emphasis to her words by speaking louder. The teacher put emphasis on the importance of reading every day.
stress	Commonly used to refer to mental or emotional strain or tension. It can also refer to putting importance on a particular syllable or word in speech. She felt a lot of stress before the exam. In English, we stress the first syllable of 'record' when it's a noun.
accentuation	Used to describe the act of emphasizing something more formally, often found in academic or technical settings. The accentuation of key points in the presentation made it easy to follow. The accentuation of this feature in the design draws attention immediately.
intensity	Used to describe the strength or extreme degree of something, often in terms of emotion, color, or an experience. The intensity of her feelings was clear. They were impressed by the intensity of the color.
accent	Typically refers to a distinctive manner of pronunciation or a specific linguistic feature of a region or group. Can also mean a specific focus or emphasis in design or art. He spoke with a British accent. The room has accents of bright colors.

Examples of usage

The emphasis on the second beat creates a unique rhythm in this song.
The musical piece lacked emphasis on the lower notes.
In jazz music, emphasis is often placed on syncopation.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

in speech

To give special importance or prominence to something.

Synonyms

accentuate, highlight, stress, underscore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
emphasis	Use to indicate the importance or significance of something in speech or writing. Her speech laid great emphasis on the need for education reform The emphasis was clearly on improving the healthcare system
highlight	Appropriate for drawing attention to the most important parts of a text, presentation, or discussion. Also can be used for marking text with a color. The teacher used a yellow marker to highlight the critical points in the text The conference highlighted the latest advances in renewable energy
stress	Often used to show urgency or importance in spoken communication, or to point out something that is causing tension. Can have a negative connotation. The manager stressed the need to meet the project deadline He stressed the importance of team collaboration during the meeting
underscore	Typically used in a more formal or written context to emphasize something important. It can also mean to indicate a visual underline. The report underscored the critical need for cybersecurity measures The CEO underscored the company's commitment to innovation in her speech
accentuate	Used when you want to make something more noticeable or prominent, often in a visual or stylistic sense. The designer used bright colors to accentuate the modern look of the room The artist's use of shadows accentuated the depth of the painting

Examples of usage

She emphasized the need for immediate action.
It's important to emphasize the positive aspects of the project.
He emphasized the key points during his presentation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

In language, emphasis can change the meaning of a sentence; stressing different words can give them new significance.
Various languages employ different techniques for emphasis, such as intonation, volume, or repetition.
In written text, italics, boldface, and underlining are common ways to convey emphasis visually.

Cultural Impact

In public speaking, emphasis is crucial; speakers often use dramatic pauses and volume changes to keep the audience engaged.
Emphasis is essential in storytelling; it helps create suspense and highlights important plot points.
In advertising, emphasis is strategically used to grab attention and make messages memorable.

Psychology

Emphasizing certain words can make them more memorable, helping listeners retain important information.
Studies show that emphasis can influence emotional responses, making people feel more connected to the message being delivered.
The use of emphasis in communication can affect perceptions and judgments, altering how people interpret information.

Literature

Authors often use emphasis to enhance their writing, creating tension or highlighting a character's feelings.
In poetry, emphasis on certain words can change the rhythm and impact of the poem, making it more powerful.
Classic literature often employed rhetorical devices that relied heavily on emphasis to convey deep themes and provoke thought.

Origin of 'emphasis'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek 'emphasis,' meaning 'to show,' highlighting something's importance.
In ancient times, emphasis was often used in speech and writing to make ideas clearer and more persuasive.
The term evolved in Middle English, being used to describe stress placed on words or ideas.

The word 'emphasis' originated from the Latin word 'emphasi', which came from the Greek word 'emphainein' meaning 'to present, show forth'. Throughout history, emphasis has played a crucial role in communication, music, and various art forms. It has been a key element in highlighting important aspects and bringing attention to specific details. The concept of emphasis has evolved over time, adapting to different languages and cultures, but its essence of adding significance and stress remains constant.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,957, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

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1954 council
1955 operated
1956 discuss
1957 emphasis
1958 certificate
1959 symptoms
1960 clean
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