accent Meaning & Definition
What Does Accent Mean?
Accent is used as a noun meaning 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. It can also mean Emphasis or importance in general. As a verb, it means To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.
Word Facts for Accent
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈak.sənt/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | emphasize, accentuate and accentuation |
| Antonyms | destress and deemphasize |
| Plural | accents |
| Verb forms | accents, accenting, accented |
Accent Definition (Noun)
- 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.
In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
- Emphasis or importance in general.
At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.
- A mark used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress.
- 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.
The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
- Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.
- 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.
a foreign accent
- A manner of pronunciation suggesting that the speaker is from a different region; a foreign accent.
My professor's accent is so thick that it's difficult to understand her lectures.
- A distinctive manner of producing a sign language, such as someone who does not normally use a certain sign language might have when using it.
- A word; a significant tone or sound.
- Expressions in general; speech.
- Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
- A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
- A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
- A mark used to represent this special emphasis.The third and fourth symbols are accents (marks used to represent special emphasis in music).
- The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.
- A prime symbol.
- Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings.
accent color
- A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.
- Utterance.
Accent as a Verb
- To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.
- To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.
- To mark with written accents.
Noun
- A higher-pitched or stronger articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.
In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
- A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.
The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
- (sign languages) A distinctive manner of producing a sign language, such as someone who does not normally use a certain sign language might have when using it.
2015 December 3, [./http//www.pri.org/stories/2015-12-03/philadelphia-accent-sign-language There's a distinctly Philadelphia accent in American Sign Language]
- (usually plurale tantum) Expressions in general; speech.
- The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage.
- A mark used to represent specific stress on a note.
- A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y', y''.
- A mark at the right hand of a number, indicating minutes of a degree, seconds, etc., as in 12' 27'', meaning twelve minutes and twenty-seven seconds.
- A mark used to denote feet and inches, as in 6' 10'', meaning six feet ten inches.
- A distinctive feature or quality.
Synonyms of Accent
Antonyms of Accent
Accent in a Sentence
In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.
The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
a foreign accent
a broad Irish accent
a hint of a German accent
a thick French accent
My professor's accent is so thick that it's difficult to understand her lectures.
She spoke with a strong accent that betrayed her southern roots.
I was surprised to learn that he was an immigrant, as he spoke without any accent.
accent color
2015 December 3, [./http//www.pri.org/stories/2015-12-03/philadelphia-accent-sign-language There's a distinctly Philadelphia accent in American Sign Language]
Word Forms & Grammar
accent (countable and uncountable, plural accents)
accent (third-person singular simple present accents, present participle accenting, simple past and past participle accented)
Words That Rhyme With Accent
Origin of Accent
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English accent, from Medieval Latin accentus and Old French accent, acent, both from Latin accentus, past participle of accinō (“sing to, sing along”), from ad- + canō (“to sing”). The word accent had been borrowed into Old English already, but was lost and reborrowed in Middle English. Displaced native Old English swēġ.
Origin 2: From Middle French accenter, from Old French accenter, from Latin accentō, from accentus.
How to Pronounce Accent
The standard pronunciation of accent is /ˈak.sənt/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ak).
Quick Answers About Accent
Is accent a noun or a verb?
Accent is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for accent?
Words with a similar meaning to accent include emphasize, accentuate and accentuation. See the full list of accent synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of accent?
The opposite of accent can be expressed with words like destress and deemphasize.
What is the plural of accent?
The plural of accent is accents.
What is the past tense of accent?
The past tense of accent is accented. The present participle is accenting.