Emphatic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💪
Add to dictionary

emphatic

[ɛmˈfætɪk ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

strong expression

Emphatic refers to something that is expressed or done with emphasis, often highlighting importance or certainty. It is typically used in relation to statements or actions that are forceful and clear, leaving no doubt about the speaker's feelings or intentions.

Synonyms

assertive, forceful, insistent, strident, vehement.

Examples of usage

  • She made an emphatic statement about the need for change.
  • His emphatic refusal left no room for negotiation.
  • The coach gave an emphatic speech to inspire the team.
  • Her emphatic nod showed agreement with the proposal.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, the way people express emotions can vary widely, but being emphatic is often viewed as a sign of sincerity.
  • Public speaking and leadership training place a strong emphasis on being emphatic to engage and persuade audiences effectively.
  • Literature often utilizes emphatic expressions to convey characters' feelings, making their experiences more relatable to readers.

Psychology

  • Being emphatic can influence how messages are received, often leading to stronger connections in interpersonal communication.
  • Research suggests that emphatic communication can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts, fostering better relationships.
  • People who communicate emphatically tend to be perceived as more confident and credible in both personal and professional contexts.

Literature

  • Many authors use emphatic language to create dramatic effect, making key moments in their stories more impactful.
  • The use of exclamation points and repetition is common in poetry to convey deep emotion and emphatic messages.
  • Famous speeches throughout history often employ emphatic phrases to inspire audiences and spur movements.

Origin of 'emphatic'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Greek term 'emphatikos', which means 'to show' or 'to make clear'.
  • It first appeared in the English language around the early 19th century, indicating a shift in how people communicated strong feelings.
  • Related words include 'emphasis' and 'emphasize', both of which retain the idea of importance and clarity.

The word 'emphatic' originates from the Greek word 'emphatikos', which means 'to show' or 'to make evident'. The root 'emphasize' comes from the verb 'emphainein', meaning 'to show clearly'. It was adopted into Latin as 'emphaticus' before making its way into the English language in the late 16th century. It originally conveyed the notion of giving special importance to a statement or action. Over the centuries, the usage of 'emphatic' has evolved but has retained its core meaning related to emphasis and clarity in expression. Today, it's commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe assertions, responses, or actions that strongly convey meaning or emotion.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,844, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.