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

Udall shifted his emphasis to the economy in the last weeks of the campaign, but it was too late.

From The Daily Beast

When music had come into the discussion, the emphasis invariably was on rock sounds and players.

From The Daily Beast

Critics of the bigot should begin placing a bit less emphasis on what he says or feels than what he actually does.

From The Daily Beast

His emphasis on middle-class concerns is, well, understandable.

From The Daily Beast

While there will be always be an emphasis on the next great star, Li Na has already opened the door.

From The Daily Beast

It was difficult to describe—a little sterner, a little wilder, a faint emphasis of the barbaric peering through it.

From Project Gutenberg

There are four general forms of emphasis which serve as indications of the characteristics of expression.

From Project Gutenberg

It is that from which the former, by the addition of a prefix, which gives emphasis to the meaning, is derived.

From Project Gutenberg

"To bathe in the very heart's blood of the one desired," he added with grave emphasis.

From Project Gutenberg

Let your articulation be easy, clear, correct in accent, and suited in tone and emphasis to your discourse.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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