emphasis

[em-fuh-sis]

noun

plural

emphases 

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 Word Forms

• misemphasis noun
• reemphasis noun
• superemphasis noun

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, this year's celebration unfolded peacefully, with an emphasis on joy, unity and cultural pride.

From BBC

Moody said the emphasis was staying in the moment.

From BBC

Whether it’s Morton’s perpetually scowling expression in the infrequent cutaways to Brian’s life back home or the on-the-nose emphasis on looming gray clouds, there’s no question a storm is coming.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have defended really well, been organised, but have lacked that spark and creativity. We really wanted to put emphasis on getting that back tonight."

From BBC

There was consensus on some issues - that in taking on Nigel Farage, Labour should not "ape" Reform but there was a different emphasis from each candidate on what the Labour government had got wrong.

From BBC

Related Words

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