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

In London, there’s far more emphasis put on the food than anything else, I feel.

From Salon

The BBFC's latest annual report said the rating was changed because of "violence and threat" in the film, despite this being "offset by humour and an emphasis on loyalty in adversity".

From BBC

"South Africa are putting a massive emphasis on the development of props and especially the scrum," La Rochelle scrum coach Steenkamp added.

From BBC

His emphasis on “historic” did not have a tone of dread, pathos, or regret.

From Salon

Some news executives believe — perhaps wishfully — that the administration will focus on policy at the beginning and there will be less emphasis on the president-elect’s rambunctious personality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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