emphasis
Americannoun
plural
emphases-
special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything.
The president's statement gave emphasis to the budgetary crisis.
-
something that is given great stress or importance.
Morality was the emphasis of his speech.
-
Rhetoric.
-
special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables.
-
stress laid on particular words, by means of position, repetition, or other indication.
-
-
intensity or force of expression, action, etc..
Determination lent emphasis to his proposals.
-
prominence, as of form or outline.
The background detracts from the emphasis of the figure.
-
Electronics. preemphasis.
noun
-
special importance or significance
-
an object, idea, etc, that is given special importance or significance
-
stress made to fall on a particular syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
-
force or intensity of expression
he spoke with special emphasis on the subject of civil rights
-
sharpness or clarity of form or outline
the sunlight gave emphasis to the shape of the mountain
Other Word Forms
- misemphasis noun
- reemphasis noun
- superemphasis noun
Etymology
Origin of emphasis
First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin, from Greek émphasis “indication,” equivalent to em- em- 2 + phásis phasis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A lot of attention will be paid to how much emphasis policymakers place on revitalizing consumption.
“Next summer, I’m not going to Italy. I’m going to Iran,” said Khaleghian, pounding the table for emphasis.
From Los Angeles Times
"We put so much emphasis on creators and not customers, yet they are our brothers, our fathers, our colleagues," Attwood says.
From BBC
Smethurst emphasises that a great stargazing experience isn't just about what you look at, it's also about how you prepare.
From BBC
Rejecting traditional religion’s emphasis on sin and punishment, Modern Spiritualism was rooted in personal happiness on earth and in the heaven of Summerland, as well as a desire for world harmony.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
