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.
This includes an emphasis on more artist-powered videos, continuing to promote artists’ live shows on the platform and expanding the role of the company’s music curators.
From Los Angeles Times
What’s Next: Investors are listening to how much emphasis Powell places on recent labor market stabilization versus signs that hiring remains close to stall speed.
From Barron's
“The emphasis going forward is going to be building things that people are ultimately willing to pay for,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times
Their sound differed from the melody-rich music of Bob Marley, with a heavier emphasis on the beat - including the pioneering "rockers" rhythm, which introduced more syncopation and energy to the music.
From BBC
For emphasis, she took a heaping forkful of egg and chewed it loudly.
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.
