Emphasis: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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