emphasis

The word “emphasis” means special importance or weight placed on something. In plain terms, extra importance, weight, or stress given to something, whether it's an idea, a word, or a piece of text.

“Emphasis” is pronounced EHM-fuh-sihs (/ˈɛmfəsɪs/ in IPA).

Here is “emphasis” used in a sentence: “The school puts a strong emphasis on reading skills.”

“Emphasis” is a noun.

The word “emphasis” comes from Greek. From Greek emphasis, "significance" or "appearance," from emphainein, "to show clearly.".

“Emphasis” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Emphasis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: special importance or weight placed on something.

Both can mean extra weight given to something. In speech, "stress" specifically refers to the force placed on a particular syllable or word, while "emphasis" is broader and can mean special importance given to any idea, point, or piece of text. All stress is a form of emphasis, but emphasis is not always about pronunciation.

The plural of "emphasis" is "emphases," ending in an "-eez" sound. It follows the pattern of other Greek-derived words such as "analysis" and "analyses."

The standard collocation is "emphasis on," as in "she placed great emphasis on accuracy." You typically "put" or "place" emphasis "on" something to show that it has special importance.

Use "importance" to describe how significant something is in itself, and "emphasis" to describe the special weight or attention someone deliberately gives it. You place emphasis on a point precisely because you consider it important.