emphasis

American  

[em-fuh-sis] / ˈɛm fə sɪs /

noun

emphases plural

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

Derived Forms

• misemphasis
  noun
• reemphasis
  noun
• superemphasis
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• emphases
  plural

Etymology

Origin of emphasis

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin, from Greek émphasis “indication,” equivalent to em- em- ² + phásis phasis

Explanation

While the emphasis, or main focus, for walking a dog might be on "answering the call of nature," the emphasis for the dog might be on chasing squirrels. If you say emphasis a little louder or with extra oomph in your pronunciation, you are putting emphasis on the word. This emphasis makes it clear that special attention, or emphasis, should be given to the word. Now, having repeated emphasis so many times, the "s" sound really stands out, sort of like in the word "stress." When you stress a point, you put emphasis on something — it is the main thing, the emphasis.

Example Sentences

But even in the face of these deals—and Sweet’s repeated emphasis on AI-driven growth—the company’s vision of an AI-powered future is being overshadowed by concerns about slowing growth today.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

He answered even simple questions with lengthy explanations, speaking in a quick, torrential style and snapping his fingers or pinching the air for emphasis.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

The emphasis on character over action divided critics when the first season premiered - some praised its "intelligence and realism", while others found its measured pace challenging.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

“Clash of Nations” puts enormous emphasis on the state of race relations in the America of Joe Louis—Delbert Hunt’s earnest narration recounts a lot of sins that probably don’t need quite the breathless review.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

“We are not interested in excuses, Miss Milly. Our emphasis this term, as you should be aware, is on excellence.”

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

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