accentuate

verb

ac·​cen·​tu·​ate ik-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌwāt 

ak-

accentuated; accentuating

transitive verb

: to make (something) more prominent or noticeable : accent, emphasize

With her hair in tight curls that accentuate her pale beauty, she seems lit from within.

—Peter Travers

trying to accentuate the positive aspects of the program

also : intensify

accentuates the feeling of despair

accentuation

ik-ˌsen(t)-shə-ˈwā-shən 

(ˌ)ak-

noun

Did you know?

When you accentuate something you put an “accent,” or emphasis, on it. There’s no need to stress out if you don’t know the word’s history, though; its journey into the English language was very straightforward. It comes from Latin accentus, meaning “accent” (which itself comes in part from cantus, meaning “song”), and since the early 18th century, its meanings haven’t changed much. The word was initially used as a synonym of the verb accent to mean “to pronounce with greater stress or force,” which is a small leap from today’s meaning of “to make something more noticeable; to emphasize.” One excellent way to remember not only how to pronounce accentuate but also its etymological connection to song is the classic (and helpfully titled) tune “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, which has been performed by such luminaries as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.

Synonyms

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

Examples of accentuate in a Sentence

He likes to wear clothes that accentuate his muscular build.

let's accentuate the saxophones during this piece by having the sax players stand up

Recent Examples on the Web

The post accentuates the difference in their postures. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

Lastly, a pair of maroon Cartier glasses, a few tennis necklaces, a tiny cross earring, and Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets accentuated his outfit. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 Apr. 2024

For comparison, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earphones slightly accentuate the lower frequencies. —PCMAG, 21 Apr. 2024

New businesses should accentuate that beautiful slice of small town life. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2024

The overall silhouette was narrow and slim: Shoulders were accentuated but not exaggerated, and waists were slightly nipped. —Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024

Colorist, Jacob Schwartz, accentuated Robbie’s natural brown hair with a darker blonde with brunette roots and highlights throughout. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

An influx of foreigners in Kyiv—from aid workers to entrepreneurs—accentuates the disconnect. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

The ethereal singer goes minimal on her makeup, but accentuates with a matching bright red lip. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin accentuātus, past participle of accentuāre "to accent, stress," derivative of Latin accentus accent entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1719, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

accentuate

verb

ac·​cen·​tu·​ate ik-ˈsen-chə-ˌwāt 

ak-

accentuated; accentuating

1

: to pronounce or mark with an accent

2

: emphasize

the blue shirt accentuates your eyes

accentuation

ik-ˌsen-chə-ˈwā-shən 

(ˌ)ak-

noun