accent

ac-cent · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular region, social group, or country.

  2. 2.

    Emphasis or stress placed on a particular syllable of a word.

  3. 3.

    A mark on a letter to indicate pronunciation, stress, or pitch.

  4. 4.

    Special importance or emphasis.

  5. 5.

    To emphasize or give prominence to.

Forms

plural: accents

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    foreign accent — A manner of pronunciation indicating the speaker is not a native speaker.
  • •
    accent mark — A diacritical mark used in writing.
  • •
    put the accent on — To emphasize; to give importance to.

Related words

See also: accentuate, dialect, pronunciation
Synonyms: inflection, intonation, pronunciation, stress

Etymology

From Latin accentus ("song added to speech"), from ad- ("to") + cantus ("singing"), a translation of Greek προσῳδία (prosōidía, "accent, tone").