emphasize
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
To make something clearly visible or noticeable; to stress the significance of a particular fact, idea, or aspect.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, conscious act of highlighting. Can be used for verbal stress, visual prominence, or thematic focus. The action is typically transitive, requiring an object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'emphasise' is standard in British English, while 'emphasize' is standard in American English. Pronunciation is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common and central in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
emphasize + that-clauseemphasize + noun/noun phraseemphasize + the importance/significance/need of/forVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The report's findings (serve to) emphasize...”
- “I cannot emphasize enough...”
- “To place/put emphasis on...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and presentations to highlight key results, risks, or strategic priorities.
Academic
Common in research papers to stress the significance of findings, limitations, or a particular theoretical approach.
Everyday
Used in conversation to make sure a point is understood, e.g., 'I want to emphasize how important this is.'
Technical
Used in design, UI/UX, and writing to discuss visual or rhetorical focus.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager will emphasise the new safety protocols at the meeting.
- His report emphasises the need for long-term investment.
American English
- The manager will emphasize the new safety protocols at the meeting.
- His report emphasizes the need for long-term investment.
adverb
British English
- He spoke emphasisingly about the deadlines.
- She nodded emphasisingly.
American English
- He spoke emphasizingly about the deadlines.
- She nodded emphasizingly.
adjective
British English
- The most emphasised point in the lecture was sustainability.
- She used an emphasising gesture.
American English
- The most emphasized point in the lecture was sustainability.
- She used an emphasizing gesture.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher emphasised the first rule.
- I want to emphasise that this is very important.
- The guide emphasised the importance of booking tickets early.
- In his speech, he emphasised cooperation between teams.
- The data clearly emphasizes a correlation between exercise and wellbeing.
- Critics have rightly emphasized the film's lack of character development.
- The author's thesis emphasizes the socio-economic underpinnings of the movement, challenging traditional narratives.
- While acknowledging other factors, the model particularly emphasizes the role of cognitive bias.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EMPHAsize' – the 'PHAS' sounds like 'phase', which is a distinct stage. To emphasize is to make a point a distinct, important phase of your message.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS PHYSICAL PROMINENCE / WEIGHT (to give weight to an argument, to highlight a point).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'акцентировать внимание' as 'accentuate attention'. Use 'emphasize' directly + object.
- Do not confuse with 'underline' in the literal sense (подчеркнуть карандашом). The metaphorical use is correct.
Common Mistakes
- Using a preposition incorrectly (e.g., 'emphasize on' – correct is 'emphasize' or 'place emphasis on').
- Misspelling as 'emfasize' or 'emfasis'.
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He emphasized.' is incomplete).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct usage of 'emphasize'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often interchangeable. 'Stress' can feel slightly more insistent or urgent, while 'emphasize' can be more neutral or descriptive. 'Stress' is also more common in spoken English.
It is just 'emphasize' + object (e.g., 'emphasize the point'). The phrase 'place/put emphasis on' uses the preposition.
The noun is 'emphasis' (plural: emphases).
Yes, it can be used for any method of making something stand out. For example: 'The lighting emphasizes the central sculpture,' or 'The bold font emphasizes the headline.'