emphasis

[ em-fuh-sis ]

noun

, plural em·pha·ses [em, -f, uh, -seez].

1. special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything:

   The president's statement gave emphasis to the budgetary crisis.

2. something that is given great stress or importance:

   Morality was the emphasis of his speech.

3. Rhetoric.
   1. special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables.
   2. stress laid on particular words, by means of position, repetition, or other indication.
4. intensity or force of expression, action, etc.:

   Determination lent emphasis to his proposals.

5. prominence, as of form or outline:

   The background detracts from the emphasis of the figure.

6. Electronics. preemphasis.

emphasis

/ ˈɛmfəsɪs /

noun

1. special importance or significance
2. an object, idea, etc, that is given special importance or significance
3. stress made to fall on a particular syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
4. force or intensity of expression

   he spoke with special emphasis on the subject of civil rights

5. sharpness or clarity of form or outline

   the sunlight gave emphasis to the shape of the mountain

Other Words From

• mis·empha·sis noun plural misemphases
• re·empha·sis noun plural reemphases
• super·empha·sis noun plural superemphases

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphasis¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin, from Greek émphasis “indication,” equivalent to em- em- ² + phásis phasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphasis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: meaning, (in rhetoric) significant stress; see emphatic

Example Sentences

However, California’s emphasis on such liberal issues pushes the boundaries for many moderate voters, even those who may be sympathetic to some progressive polices, Kochel said.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was a really big emphasis for us, our rebounds,” Dugalic said.

From Los Angeles Times

Rogoff believes this emphasis is important not only for the Mayan community, but also could help to combat many of the social and environmental problems that globalization has brought worldwide.

From Science Daily

Stroppa, however, added that Musk also “emphasises that freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment and the Italian constitution itself; therefore, as a citizen, he will continue to freely express his opinions”.

From BBC

He warned that an emphasis on aggression can, at times, tip too far and leave teams vulnerable.

From BBC

Related Words

• attention
• insistence
• intensity
• priority
• significance
• strength
• stress
• weight