Emphasis is special or extra importance that is given to an activity or to a part or aspect of something.
Too much emphasis is placed on research. [+ on]
Grant puts a special emphasis on weather in his paintings. [+ on]
Synonyms: importance, attention, weight, significance More Synonyms of emphasis
2. variable noun
Emphasis is extra force that you put on a syllable, word, or phrase when you are speaking in order to make it seem more important.
'I might have known it!' Miss Burnett said with emphasis.
The emphasis is on the first syllable of the last word.
Synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, force More Synonyms of emphasis
pragmatics note: emphasisIn this dictionary, the label emphasis indicates that you use the word or expression to show that you think something isparticularly important or true, or to draw attention to it. An example of a word withthis label is absolutely.
emphasis in British English
(ˈɛmfəsɪs)
nounWord forms: plural-ses (-siːz)
1.
special importance or significance
2.
an object, idea, etc, that is given special importance or significance
3.
stress made to fall on a particular syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
4.
force or intensity of expression
he spoke with special emphasis on the subject of civil rights
5.
sharpness or clarity of form or outline
the sunlight gave emphasis to the shape of the mountain
Word origin
C16: via Latin from Greek: meaning, (in rhetoric) significant stress; see emphatic
emphasis in American English
(ˈɛmfəsɪs)
nounWord forms: pluralˈemphaˌses (ˈɛmfəˌsiz)
1.
force of expression, thought, feeling, action, etc.
2.
special stress given as to a syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
3.
special attention given to something so as to make it stand out; importance; stress; weight
to put less emphasis on athletics
Word origin
L < Gr emphasis, an appearing in, outward appearance < emphainein, to indicate < en-, in + phainein, to show < IE base *bha-, to shine > OE bonian, to polish
COBUILD Collocations
emphasis
heavy emphasis
Examples of 'emphasis' in a sentence
emphasis
The opera house has come under fire for putting an increasing emphasis on its business ties.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Other experts place less emphasis on particular countries and more on selecting good individual stocks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her mother said that too much emphasis was put on sprinting in the UK.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'd rather see emphasis put on fairer funding.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With special emphasis on the opening two lines.
The Sun (2010)
But we put an equal emphasis on deep.
Christianity Today (2000)
Special emphasis is placed on body language.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Better than recent summers with much more emphasis on beach weather than indoor amusement arcades.
The Sun (2011)
Special emphasis is given to the different drug laws in foreign countries.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
Taking that latter approach did not necessarily require any particular emphasis on the fine details of the visual additions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We put the emphasis on what he can do well and you saw today the physicality he brings to the team.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
As in human bereavement, there is increasing emphasis on the importance of ceremony and closure.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They're putting more emphasis on math and science.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There's so much emphasis on results.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There is also a strongly felt obligation to succeed, seen in an emphasis on the importance of formal education.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
Resources were directed towards local projects with a wide range of objectives run by local statutory or voluntary bodies with particular emphasis on multiple projects.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
Some of this can be done through emphasis - the idea of stepping up the academy programme is a good idea.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Training clinics for young players will be organised on a regular basis with particular emphasis on fitness and competitive opportunities will be provided by international youth circuits.
Barrett, J (ed) ITF World of Tennis (1993)
His reputation as the team's enforcer puts too much emphasis on one aspect of his performance but it is not something he can complain about.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
While there is no mention of religion as such, there is always a strong emphasis on the importance of love and charity in all things.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
With the planetary emphasis on new ideas, you're better off learning as much as you can.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
emphasis
figure of speech
In other languages
emphasis
British English: emphasis NOUN
Emphasis is special or extra importance that is given to an activity or to a part or aspect of something.
Too much emphasis is placed on research.
American English: emphasis
Brazilian Portuguese: ênfase
Chinese: 重点
European Spanish: énfasis
French: accent
German: Betonung
Italian: enfasi
Japanese: 重要性
Korean: 강조
European Portuguese: ênfase
Latin American Spanish: énfasis
Chinese translation of 'emphasis'
emphasis
(ˈɛmfəsɪs)
Word forms:plemphases (ˈɛmfəsiːz)
n(c/u)
(on word, syllable) 重音 (zhòngyīn) (个(個), gè)
(fig) 重点(點) (zhòngdiǎn) (个(個), gè)
to put or place emphasis on sth (fig) 把重点(點)放在某事上 (bǎ zhòngdiǎn fàng zài mǒushì shang)
the emphasis is on reading着(著)重于(於)阅(閱)读(讀) (zhuózhòng yú yuèdú)
1 (noun)
Definition
special importance or significance given to something, such as an object or idea
Too much emphasis is placed on research.
Synonyms
importance
Safety is of paramount importance.
attention
weight
significance
ideas about the social significance of religion
stress
strength
priority
moment
I was glad I had nothing of great moment to do that afternoon.
intensity
insistence
prominence
He came to prominence during the last World Cup.
underscoring
pre-eminence
2 (noun)
Definition
stress on a particular syllable, word, or phrase in speaking
The emphasis is on the first syllable of the word.
Synonyms
stress
schools that put more stress on practical activities
accent
Talk very fast and put an accent on every third word.
accentuation
force
I took a step back from the force of his rage.
weight
That argument no longer carries much weight.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accent
Definition
the stress on a syllable or musical note
Talk very fast and put an accent on every third word.
Synonyms
stress,
force,
beat,
emphasis,
rhythm,
cadence,
timbre,
accentuation,
ictus
in the sense of force
Definition
drive or intensity
I took a step back from the force of his rage.
Synonyms
intensity,
vigour,
vehemence,
fierceness,
drive,
emphasis,
persistence
in the sense of moment
Definition
importance, significance, or value
I was glad I had nothing of great moment to do that afternoon.