emphasize
EHM-fuh-syz
Also spelled emphasise (UK spelling)
Emphasize (verb) means to give special importance or extra stress to something. Example: “The coach emphasized the importance of practice over talent.”
verb
1
To give special importance or extra stress to something.
"The coach emphasized the importance of practice over talent."
"He emphasized the word "never" to make his point clear."
"The teacher underlined the date twice to emphasize that it could not change."
How to use emphasize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stress or highlight something as being especially important.
UK vs US
American English uses "emphasize"; British English commonly writes "emphasise."
Common pairings
emphasize the point
emphasize the importance of
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- emphasizes
- Past tense
- emphasized
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The coach _____ the importance of practice over talent.
Etymology
From emphasis, ultimately from Greek emphainein, "to show clearly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
de-emphasize
downplay
Related words
Rhymes for emphasize
See all rhymes for emphasize →Frequently asked questions
What does “emphasize” mean?
The word “emphasize” means to give special importance or extra stress to something. In plain terms, to stress or highlight something as being especially important.
How do you pronounce “emphasize”?
“Emphasize” is pronounced EHM-fuh-syz (/ˈɛm.fə.saɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “emphasize” in a sentence?
Here is “emphasize” used in a sentence: “The coach emphasized the importance of practice over talent.”
What is the opposite of “emphasize”?
The opposite of “emphasize” — its antonyms — are de-emphasize and downplay.
What part of speech is “emphasize”?
“Emphasize” is a verb.
Where does the word “emphasize” come from?
The word “emphasize” comes from Greek. From emphasis, ultimately from Greek emphainein, "to show clearly.".
Is “emphasize” a common word?
“Emphasize” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between emphasize and stress?
Emphasize and stress are close synonyms, both meaning to give special importance to something. Stress often suggests repeating a point to make sure it registers, while emphasize is used more broadly, including for tone, gestures, or visual highlighting in writing and speech.
Is emphasize spelled with an s or a z?
Both spellings are correct. Emphasize is the standard American English spelling, while emphasise is the preferred form in British English; the meaning is identical either way.
What preposition follows emphasize?
Emphasize is typically followed directly by an object, as in "emphasize the importance of safety," rather than by a preposition like "on." Saying "emphasize on" is a common error; the correct related noun form is "place emphasis on."
