accent

1 of 2

noun

ac·cent ˈak-ˌsent How to pronounce accent (audio)

chiefly British -sənt

: an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables

also : the stress thus given a syllable

a word with the accent on the second syllable

: a distinctive manner of expression: such as

: a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region

spoke with a Russian accent

: an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words

—usually used in plural

: rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals

: a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced

: an accented letter

music

: greater stress given to one musical tone than to its neighbors

: accent mark sense 2

: emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition

: an emphasized detail or area

especially : a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings

: a substance or object used for emphasis

a plant used as a decorative accent

: a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as

: a double prime

: prime

: special concern or attention : emphasis

an accent on youth

archaic : utterance entry 1

accentless

ˈak-ˌsent-ləs How to pronounce accent (audio)

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

accentuation
emphasis
stress
underscoring
weight

Verb

accentuate
emphasize
feature
foreground
highlight
illuminate
play up
point (up)
press
punctuate
stress

See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Noun Regional accents are common in the U.S. She spoke with an American accent. The tourist had a foreign accent. He has a heavy southern accent. The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable. Put the accent on the first syllable of the word. The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced. Verb the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Of course, Tom Hanks’ questionable accent and physical transformation were the punchline of many a social media banter as well.

Carson Burton, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 When the trailer for Blonde debuted last month, some viewers criticized her take on Monroe, particularly her accent and the traces of her Cuban dialect beneath Monroe's breathier pitch.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022 The extra girly, simple design was the perfect accent to her leather and lace outfit from YSL.

Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 Burr, who lives in LA, might be the present day’s preeminent exporter of the acute Boston accent and the locals’ propensity for reveling in our own absurd posturing.

James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 For the movie version, Netflix relocated the action to an unnamed setting that looks like Australia—the home of its lead actor, Chris Hemsworth, who plays Abnesti with an American accent and a menacing smirk.

The New Yorker, 17 June 2022 Deep green cabinetry grounds the room, while whimsical accent colors give it brightness.

Nafeesah Allen, House Beautiful, 30 Aug. 2022 For a homespun accent, wrap string around the vases.

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2022 This pick is designed with feminine ruffle sleeves and has a V-neckline that's closed together by a little gold accent pin.

Sanah Faroke, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2022

Verb

What makes her gardens so beautiful and unique are the layers of trees, bushes and plants that range in size from tiny to huge, that come in soft to bright colors, that accent the swerving flowerbeds that surround her home.

Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 Custom lighting, also designed by Deniot, will accent the dining space in addition to white-oak flooring and modern designs that trail its ceilings and walls in gold.

Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2022 If your version of inclusivity requires a little more celebratory bling, Tiffany will give the chance to accent the bracelet’s band with diamonds—at an extra cost, of course.

Dana Givens, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2022 Fake the look of a storied space—or accent an already stately home—with a painting technique that lends a sense of history and texture to your walls.

Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 12 Aug. 2022 Patterned tiles also accent risers on the white oak stairs leading to the home's private spaces.

Sally Finder Weepie, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 Missing the perfect vintage rug to accent your home’s classic style?

Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2022 Brick on the exterior wall was used to accent the wall with the slider, and the slider and the windows near it were stained a blue/green color to match the rest of the house.

Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2022 Copper planters are a wonderful way to accent your outdoor space with a hint of shine, and this large planter will add just the right gleaming touch.

Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 May 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "modulation of the voice," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "modulation of the voice, prominence in pitch on a given syllable," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin accentus (loan translation of Greek prosōidía), from ad- ad- + cantus "song," action noun derivative of canere "to sing" — more at chant entry 1, prosody

Note: The word occurs in Old English as accent in the sense "accent mark" in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion, but there is no continuity between this and later uses.

Verb

borrowed from Middle French accenter "to pronounce with greater stress," in part derivative of accent accent entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin accentāre, variant of accentuāre — more at accentuate

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

单词	accent
释义	accent 1 of 2 noun ac·cent ˈak-ˌsent chiefly British -sənt 1 : an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables also : the stress thus given a syllable a word with the accent on the second syllable 2 : a distinctive manner of expression: such as a : a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region spoke with a Russian accent b : an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words —usually used in plural 3 : rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals 4 a : a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced b : an accented letter 5 music a : greater stress given to one musical tone than to its neighbors b : accent mark sense 2 6 a : emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition b : an emphasized detail or area especially : a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings c : a substance or object used for emphasis a plant used as a decorative accent 7 : a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as a : a double prime b : prime 8 : special concern or attention : emphasis an accent on youth 9 archaic : utterance entry 1 accentless ˈak-ˌsent-ləs adjective accent 2 of 2 verb ac·cent ˈak-ˌsent ak-ˈsent accented; accenting; accents transitive verb 1 : to give special attention or prominence to (something) TV shows that accent youth : to make (something) more emphatic, noticeable, or distinct columns that accent the vertical lines of the building 2 a : to pronounce (part of a word) with greater stress or force : stress Accent the second syllable of the word "before." b : to mark with a written or printed accent Synonyms Noun accentuation emphasis stress underscoring weight Verb accentuate emphasize feature foreground highlight illuminate play up point (up) press punctuate stress See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun Regional accents are common in the U.S. She spoke with an American accent. The tourist had a foreign accent. He has a heavy southern accent. The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable. Put the accent on the first syllable of the word. The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced. Verb the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun Of course, Tom Hanks’ questionable accent and physical transformation were the punchline of many a social media banter as well. Carson Burton, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 When the trailer for Blonde debuted last month, some viewers criticized her take on Monroe, particularly her accent and the traces of her Cuban dialect beneath Monroe's breathier pitch. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022 The extra girly, simple design was the perfect accent to her leather and lace outfit from YSL. Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 Burr, who lives in LA, might be the present day’s preeminent exporter of the acute Boston accent and the locals’ propensity for reveling in our own absurd posturing. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2022 For the movie version, Netflix relocated the action to an unnamed setting that looks like Australia—the home of its lead actor, Chris Hemsworth, who plays Abnesti with an American accent and a menacing smirk. The New Yorker, 17 June 2022 Deep green cabinetry grounds the room, while whimsical accent colors give it brightness. Nafeesah Allen, House Beautiful, 30 Aug. 2022 For a homespun accent, wrap string around the vases. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2022 This pick is designed with feminine ruffle sleeves and has a V-neckline that's closed together by a little gold accent pin. Sanah Faroke, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2022 Verb What makes her gardens so beautiful and unique are the layers of trees, bushes and plants that range in size from tiny to huge, that come in soft to bright colors, that accent the swerving flowerbeds that surround her home. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 Custom lighting, also designed by Deniot, will accent the dining space in addition to white-oak flooring and modern designs that trail its ceilings and walls in gold. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2022 If your version of inclusivity requires a little more celebratory bling, Tiffany will give the chance to accent the bracelet’s band with diamonds—at an extra cost, of course. Dana Givens, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2022 Fake the look of a storied space—or accent an already stately home—with a painting technique that lends a sense of history and texture to your walls. Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 12 Aug. 2022 Patterned tiles also accent risers on the white oak stairs leading to the home's private spaces. Sally Finder Weepie, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 Missing the perfect vintage rug to accent your home’s classic style? Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2022 Brick on the exterior wall was used to accent the wall with the slider, and the slider and the windows near it were stained a blue/green color to match the rest of the house. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2022 Copper planters are a wonderful way to accent your outdoor space with a hint of shine, and this large planter will add just the right gleaming touch. Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, "modulation of the voice," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "modulation of the voice, prominence in pitch on a given syllable," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin accentus (loan translation of Greek prosōidía), from ad- ad- + cantus "song," action noun derivative of canere "to sing" — more at chant entry 1, prosody Note: The word occurs in Old English as accent in the sense "accent mark" in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion, but there is no continuity between this and later uses. Verb borrowed from Middle French accenter "to pronounce with greater stress," in part derivative of accent accent entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin accentāre, variant of accentuāre — more at accentuate First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4 Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Phrases Containing accent accent mark tonic accent accent mark tonic accent Kids Definition accent 1 of 2 verb ac·cent ˈak-ˌsent ak-ˈsent accented; accenting 1 : to give a greater force or stress 2 : to mark with a written or printed accent accent 2 of 2 noun ac·cent ˈak-ˌsent 1 : a way of pronouncing words shared by the people of a particular country or region 2 : greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speaking or to a beat in music 3 : a mark (as ˈ or ˌ) used in writing or printing to show the place of greater stress on a syllable accent 1 of 2 noun as in emphasis a special notice or importance given to something although we dutifully carried binoculars on our bird walk, the accent was on recognizing avifauna by their song Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance emphasis accentuation focus stress weight underscoring concentration attention value significance import spotlight moment priority worth consideration consequence primacy precedence top billing note regard heed Antonyms & Near Antonyms indifference disregard minimization underemphasis de-emphasis accent 2 of 2 verb as in to emphasize to indicate the importance of by centering attention on the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history Synonyms & Similar Words emphasize highlight stress feature punctuate accentuate foreground play up identify bear down on focus illuminate press spotlight pinpoint point (up) promote make much of advertise publicize plug boost overplay Antonyms & Near Antonyms tone (down) minimize play down de-emphasize understate underemphasize discount disparage belittle See More
随便看	Fabaceae fabaceaes fabaceous fabber fabbest fabe faber fabest Fabian fabianae fabianas fabianer fabianest fabianism fabianisms fabianner fabiannest fabians fabiform Fabiola Fabius fable fabled hit the trail hit the wall

accent

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing accent

Kids Definition

verb

noun

noun

verb