accent

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent 

 chiefly British  -sənt

1

: an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables

also : the stress thus given a syllable

a word with the accent on the second syllable

2

: a distinctive manner of expression: such as

a

: a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region

spoke with a Russian accent

b

: an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words

—usually used in plural

3

: rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals

4

a

: a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced

b

: an accented letter

5

music

a

: greater stress given to one musical tone than to its neighbors

b

: accent mark sense 2

6

a

: emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition

b

: an emphasized detail or area

especially : a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings

c

: a substance or object used for emphasis

a plant used as a decorative accent

7

: a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as

a

: a double prime

b

: prime

8

: special concern or attention : emphasis

an accent on youth

9

archaic : utterance entry 1

accentless

ˈak-ˌsent-ləs 

adjective

accent

2 of 2

verb

ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent 

ak-ˈsent

accented; accenting; accents

transitive verb

1

: to give special attention or prominence to (something)

TV shows that accent youth

: to make (something) more emphatic, noticeable, or distinct

columns that accent the vertical lines of the building

2

a

: to pronounce (part of a word) with greater stress or force : stress

Accent the second syllable of the word "before."

b

: to mark with a written or printed accent

Synonyms

Noun

• accentuation
• emphasis
• stress
• underscoring
• weight

Verb

• accentuate
• emphasize
• feature
• foreground
• highlight
• illuminate
• play up
• point (up)
• press
• punctuate
• stress

Examples of accent in a Sentence

Noun

Regional accents are common in the U.S.

She spoke with an American accent.

The tourist had a foreign accent.

He has a heavy southern accent.

The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable.

Put the accent on the first syllable of the word.

The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced.

Verb

the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The rest of the ensemble also capably pirouettes from jokes to terror, led by Stevens, sporting aviators and a Queens accent as the shifty, untrustworthy Frank. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024

The silhouette’s suede Three Stripes arrive in green with red accents that are reminiscent of the classic Milwaukee Bucks’ colors. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

Some pronunciations of lyrics also come out garbled, or with a slightly wrong accent. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

Despite being an evil take on the character, the crazed organ-harvesting robot still comes with his iconic British accent and aloof attitude, making his scenes some of the funniest in the entire season. —Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Similarly, leather and bronze accents play against the textured walls and oak furniture. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024

Ocean Key Resort & Spa has 100 rooms starting out at 300 square feet and features bright and boisterous contemporary decor, tiled floors, teak wood accents, private balconies, minibars, and stone bathrooms. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

Later, the film's TikTok account shared an audio snippet of Gaga's voice as Harley Quinn, with the pop icon debuting a remarkably un-affected take on a character usually portrayed with a strong Brooklyn accent. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024

While many of the first feature’s memorable squeeze zooms, close-ups, sharp edits and wardrobe accents are included as callbacks for eagle-eyed fans, Allain-Marcus and his team also apply their own signature aesthetic flourishes. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

Verb

Expect a cerulean and chrome color pallet accented by mercurial mirrors, pops of coral, and brass with surfaces lined in gray wood veneer, pearlescent shagreen, and Arabescato marble, conferring a feminine yet art deco aesthetic. —David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024

Some offerings extend beyond the home with cotton terry gym towels and a beach bag, both accented by the house’s other stripy signature, a tripartite band of red, white and blue. —Devorah Lev-Tov Kin Woo Ella Riley-Adams Jameson Montgomery Kurt Soller Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Built in 2002, the mansion plays up its Italian influence with a white stucco exterior accented by terracotta roof tiles and an arched entryway. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024

Each side is decorated with a retro, geometric arch pattern that comes in four cheerful colors to accent your kitchen: yellow, green, blue, and pink. —Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024

Matching loungers lined the length of the pool accented by blue throw pillows. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024

The singer’s runway statement was accented with a green plaid headband and waist-length hair extensions, which draped over Smith's shoulder. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024

Similar to Omar’s Infinity House in Los Angeles, The Dragon has a double-height entryway accented by vertical wooden panels, but the darker, moodier exterior featuring matte-black metal panels, a box-gable roof, and a meandering layout sets it squarely apart. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024

For the iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, Perry kept the skin-baring aesthetic going in a mesh slip dress accented with red ribbons. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "modulation of the voice," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "modulation of the voice, prominence in pitch on a given syllable," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin accentus (loan translation of Greek prosōidía), from ad- ad- + cantus "song," action noun derivative of canere "to sing" — more at chant entry 1, prosody

Note: The word occurs in Old English as accent in the sense "accent mark" in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion, but there is no continuity between this and later uses.

Verb

borrowed from Middle French accenter "to pronounce with greater stress," in part derivative of accent accent entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin accentāre, variant of accentuāre — more at accentuate

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing accent

• accent mark
• tonic accent

Kids Definition

accent

1 of 2 noun

ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent 

1

: a way of talking shared by a group (as the people of a country)

2

: greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speaking

before has the accent on the last syllable

3

: a mark (as ´, `, or ˆ accents) identifying a syllable that is stressed in speaking

4

: greater stress given to a beat in music

5

: an emphasized detail used for contrast

accent

2 of 2 verb

ac·​cent ak-ˈsent 

ˈak-ˌsent

1

: to make more noticeable : emphasize

2

a

: to say with an accent : stress

b

: to mark with a written or printed accent