Accent
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈak.sənt/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Accent is a noun meaning (figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.
Meaning
(figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.
More Meanings
- (orthography) A mark used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress.
- A word; a significant tone or sound.
- (usually plural only) Expressions in general; speech.
- (linguistics) A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.
- (orthography) Any mark used in writing over letters, either in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked, or to distinguish homophones.
- Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.
- (linguistics, sociolinguistics) The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.
Example Sentences
At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.
The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
The tender Accents of a Woman’s Cry ¶ Will paſs unheard, will unregarded die;
Word Forms
- accents
- accenting
- accented
Synonyms for accent
Depending on context, synonyms include stress, emphasize, accentuate, accentuation, emphasis, dialect.
Antonyms for accent
Common opposites include destress, deemphasize.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include dialect, accentuate, accentuation, idiom, punctuate, emphasis.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.