emphasis

noun

em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs 

plural emphases ˈem(p)-fə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or importance to something

b

: a particular prominence given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables

2

: special consideration of or stress or insistence on something

Synonyms

• accent
• accentuation
• stress
• underscoring
• weight

Examples of emphasis in a Sentence

Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis.

a prep school with a long-established emphasis on sports

Recent Examples on the Web

This platform would be ineffective if not for its emphasis on violence. —Armond White, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025

Collectively, how the Trump administration decides to handle these items left by the Biden administration for the incoming officials to finish will provide some early markers of the emphasis the Trump team will place on semiconductors and their approach to China. —Owen Tedford, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Budgeted at 7 million euros, the movie features a bevy of exterior sets, with an emphasis on nature, as in Besnard’s previous films. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025

While Kristin, 21, is a theater arts major with an emphasis in dance, Kenzie, 19, is studying environmental science, but still loves working in the scene shop building sets. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "use of language to imply more than is actually said, implication" (Late Latin also "appearance," Medieval Latin "prominence of expression, stress"), borrowed from Greek émphasis "appearance in a smooth surface, reflection, outward appearance, setting forth, exposition, significance, force of expression," from empha-, stem in noun derivation of emphaínein "to exhibit, display, indicate," emphaínesthai "to be reflected, become visible" (from em- en- entry 2 + phaínein "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai "to become visible, appear") + -sis -sis — more at fantasy entry 1, phase entry 1

Note: Greek pha- can be a stem in nominal derivation of both phaínein and the verb phēmí, phánai "to speak, say," so that prefixed words formed with it may have senses relating to both appearance and to speech or language, as is the case with émphasis. For the underlying relation between the two verbs see the note at ban entry 1.

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing emphasis

• lay great stress/emphasis on
• re-emphasis

Kids Definition

emphasis

noun

em·​pha·​sis ˈem(p)-fə-səs 

plural emphases -fə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: forcefulness of expression

spoke with emphasis

b

: the act or fact of giving stress to a word or syllable when speaking

2

: special attention or importance given to something

put great emphasis on cleanliness