Emphasis: meaning, definitions and examples

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emphasis

 

[ ˈɛmfəsɪs ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

in communication

Special importance, value, or prominence given to something.

Synonyms

accent, importance, stress, weight

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

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

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

Translations of the word "emphasis" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ênfase

🇮🇳 ज़ोर

🇩🇪 Betonung

🇮🇩 penekanan

🇺🇦 наголос

🇵🇱 nacisk

🇯🇵 強調 (きょうちょう)

🇫🇷 accent

🇪🇸 énfasis

🇹🇷 vurgu

🇰🇷 강조 (강조)

🇸🇦 تأكيد

🇨🇿 důraz

🇸🇰 dôraz

🇨🇳 强调 (qiángdiào)

🇸🇮 poudarek

🇮🇸 áhersla

🇰🇿 екпін

🇬🇪 ხაზი

🇦🇿 vurğu

🇲🇽 énfasis

Word origin

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.