emphasis
UK: ˈem.fə.sɪs | US: ˈem.fə.sɪs
n. special importance, value, or prominence given to something
n. stress laid on a word or words to indicate special meaning or contrast
n. intensity or forcefulness of expression
emphasis = em<in> + phas<appearance> + is<noun suffix>
- em (from Greek en, meaning "in")
- phas (from Greek phainein, meaning "to show" or "appearance")
- is (noun-forming suffix in Greek, often used in English to denote abstract concepts)
Etymology Origin:
The word "emphasis" traces back to Greek emphainein ("to present, show"), derived from en ("in") + phainein ("to show"). It entered English via Latin emphasis, retaining its core idea of "giving prominence" or "making something stand out." The morpheme phas evolved from visual "appearance" to abstract "significance," reflecting how language shifts from concrete to metaphorical meanings.
She placed great emphasis on teamwork during the project.
The teacher’s emphasis on grammar improved our writing skills.
His speech lacked emphasis, making it hard to follow his main point.
In design, bold colors are used for emphasis on key elements.
The word "not" carries emphasis in the sentence to show contrast.