emphasis
Americannoun
plural
emphases-
special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything.
The president's statement gave emphasis to the budgetary crisis.
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something that is given great stress or importance.
Morality was the emphasis of his speech.
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Rhetoric.
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special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables.
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stress laid on particular words, by means of position, repetition, or other indication.
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intensity or force of expression, action, etc..
Determination lent emphasis to his proposals.
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prominence, as of form or outline.
The background detracts from the emphasis of the figure.
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Electronics. preemphasis.
noun
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special importance or significance
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an object, idea, etc, that is given special importance or significance
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stress made to fall on a particular syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
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force or intensity of expression
he spoke with special emphasis on the subject of civil rights
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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.
"That is why the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy puts emphasis on training and skills, not just technology."
From BBC
While the speeches may seem long and dreary, they contain points of emphasis which may show, for example, greater focus and financial support for specific industries.
From BBC
The slow acceleration of lead single Aperture emphasises Styles' message that enduring love is worth waiting for.
From BBC
His comments were a day after Liverpool boss Arne Slot said he finds most Premier League games no longer a "joy to watch" and his "football heart doesn't like" the increasing emphasis on set-pieces.
From BBC
Traders who lost money were upset by the emphasis on the semantics of the rules.
From MarketWatch
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.
