emphasis
EHM-fuh-sihs
Emphasis (noun) means Special importance or weight placed on something. Example: “The teacher placed great emphasis on being on time.”
noun
1
Special importance or weight placed on something.
"The teacher placed great emphasis on being on time."
"The school puts a strong emphasis on reading skills."
"There was no emphasis on teamwork in his old job."
2
Extra stress given to a word or syllable when speaking, or highlighting given to text through formatting such as italics or bold.
"Use bold type for emphasis, but only on the key words."
"In English, the emphasis in this word falls on the second syllable."
"She put the emphasis on the wrong word, changing the meaning of the sentence."
How to use emphasis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtra importance, weight, or stress given to something, whether it's an idea, a word, or a piece of text.
Common pairings
put emphasis on
special emphasis
emphasis added
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Word forms
- Plural
- emphases
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The teacher placed great _____ on being on time.
Etymology
From Greek emphasis, "significance" or "appearance," from emphainein, "to show clearly."
Related words
Rhymes for emphasis
See all rhymes for emphasis →Frequently asked questions
What does “emphasis” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “emphasis”?
“Emphasis” is pronounced EHM-fuh-sihs (/ˈɛmfəsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “emphasis” in a sentence?
Here is “emphasis” used in a sentence: “The school puts a strong emphasis on reading skills.”
What part of speech is “emphasis”?
“Emphasis” is a noun.
Where does the word “emphasis” come from?
The word “emphasis” comes from Greek. From Greek emphasis, "significance" or "appearance," from emphainein, "to show clearly.".
Is “emphasis” a common word?
“Emphasis” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “emphasis” have?
“Emphasis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: special importance or weight placed on something.
What is the difference between "emphasis" and "stress"?
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.
What is the plural of "emphasis"?
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."
What preposition follows "emphasis" — "emphasis on" or "emphasis of"?
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.
When should you use "emphasis" instead of "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.
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