emphasis

noun

em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs 

plural emphases ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz 

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

Synonyms of emphasis

• focus
• stress
• weight
• attention

Examples of emphasis in a Sentence

Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis.

a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports

Recent Examples on the Web

Parts of the hotel date to the 14th century and one can gaze out at the spires and listen to church bells, but the atmosphere is contemporary with an emphasis on food and drink and sleeping rooms with art from ownership's private collection. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026

But there are also real differences in both style and emphasis, and this would be a way to bridge them—to announce, in short, that these views are not too disparate to animate the same Administration. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

That approach can create fewer interception opportunities, with a greater emphasis on forcing incompletions instead. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Human costs of a ‘fix-it’ medical approach Research shows that the healthcare system’s emphasis on the length – not quality – of life introduces preventable suffering into American experiences of death. — Jane Callahan, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "use of language to imply more than is actually said, implication" (Late Latin also "appearance," Medieval Latin "prominence of expression, stress"), borrowed from Greek émphasis "appearance in a smooth surface, reflection, outward appearance, setting forth, exposition, significance, force of expression," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate," emphaínesthai "to be reflected, become visible" (from em- en- entry 2 + phaínein "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai "to become visible, appear") + -sis -sis — more at fantasy entry 1, phase entry 1

Note: Greek pha- can be a stem in nominal derivation of both phaínein and the verb phēmí, phánai "to speak, say," so that prefixed words formed with it may have senses relating to both appearance and to speech or language, as is the case with émphasis. For the underlying relation between the two verbs see note at ban entry 1.

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing emphasis

• lay great stress/emphasis on
• re-emphasis

Rhymes for emphasis

• emphasise
• overemphasis

Kids Definition

emphasis

noun

em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs 

plural emphases -fə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: forcefulness of expression

spoke with emphasis

b

: the act or fact of giving stress to a word or syllable when speaking

2

: special attention or importance given to something

put great emphasis on cleanliness