emphasis
em·pha·sis
noun \ˈem(p)-fə-səs\ plural em·pha·ses\-ˌsēz\
Definition of EMPHASIS
1
a : force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something b : a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables
2
: special consideration of or stress or insistence on something
Examples of EMPHASIS
- Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis.
- <a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports>
Origin of EMPHASIS
Latin, from Greek, exposition, emphasis, from emphainein to indicate, from en- + phainein to show — more at fancy
First Known Use: 1573
Related to EMPHASIS
- Synonyms
- accent, accentuation, stress, underscoring, weight
- Antonyms
- de-emphasis
Learn More About EMPHASIS
Browse
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up emphasis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


See 








