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.
Examples of accentuate in a Sentence
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Like the Magic did before them, the Spurs had to adapt and learn what pieces would accentuate their generational star’s greatness the most.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Cut with a low neckline and looping straps detailed with subtle embossed beads, it’s designed to support and accentuate all parts of your body, especially with a gentle flare at the hem.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The dials are all adorned with a railway minute track that curves around every petal to accentuate the flower’s form.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accentuate. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
accentuate
verb
