emphasis

American  

[em-fuh-sis] / ˈɛm fə sɪs /

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.

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emphasis British  

/ 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

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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

Players talk glowingly about the event, with particular emphasis placed on the quality of facilities behind the scenes.

From BBC

And they continue to experiment with their well-established narrative approach, here focusing on an ensemble rather than their usual emphasis on a troubled central figure.

From Los Angeles Times

The series was eventually rebooted in 2013, with Lara given a more grounded look and more emphasis placed on her characterisation.

From BBC

The emphasis on subscriptions would likely also force any customers who do want to use Tesla’s software to grin and bear any future price hikes.

From MarketWatch

He favours a 4-3-3 formation, emphasises a high press, and encourages an aggressive, attacking approach.

From BBC

Related Words

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