accentuate

verb

ac·​cen·​tu·​ate ik-ˈsen(t)-shə-ˌwāt How to pronounce accentuate (audio)
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 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.

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 And yet that ultimately came with a warning, to build, essentially, from the bottom up and look for the tech that accentuates a product rather than the other way around. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Jackson’s look accentuated her features and didn’t overshadow her natural beauty. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Mar. 2024 He’s landed at an aesthetic that accentuates his music. Damien Scott, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2024 Waterhouse could be seen posing in front of a beach, wearing a string bikini that accentuated her baby bump and accessorizing with AGMES jewelry. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Hochschild accentuated positive developments in the zero-emission vehicles space, such as lower costs for the minerals that go into lithium-ion batteries and improvements in technology so that EVs can extend their mileage between charges. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Your least favorite dress on the hanger may accentuate your figure in the best possible way. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 Sofia Tilbury worked with Reed to accentuate features, creating shimmery eyes, rosebud lips, and intentionally over-the-top blush that gave models the youthful appearance of a child’s most cherished toy. Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2024 The blocks call attention to the grid that underlies the compositions, and their contrast with the twisting bands accentuates the kinetic energy of Cwiok’s approach. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accentuate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of accentuate was circa 1719

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near accentuate

Cite this Entry

“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accentuate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accentuate

verb
ac·​cen·​tu·​ate ik-ˈsen-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce accentuate (audio)
ak-
accentuated; accentuating
1
: to pronounce or mark with an accent
2
: emphasize
the blue shirt accentuates your eyes
accentuation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on accentuate

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