accent
accent
ac·cent
I
/ˈækˌsɛnt, Brit ˈæksənt/ noun , pl -cents
1 [ count ] : a way of pronouncing words that occurs among the people in a particular region or country
Regional accents are common in the U.S.
She spoke with an American/English accent.
The tourist had a foreign accent.
He has a heavy/thick southern accent.
a slight/light/faint accent
a French/German/Italian accent
2 [ count ] : greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speech
The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable.
Put the accent on the first syllable of the word.
3 [ count ]
3 a : a mark (such as ˈ or ˌ) used to show the part of a word that should be given greater stress when it is spoken — called also accent mark
3 b : a mark placed above a letter to show how it should be pronounced
The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced.
— called also accent mark
4 [ singular ] : special concern or attention : emphasis
— usually + on
This year's new TV shows put/place the/an accent on youth.
Our accent is on providing our customers with dependable service.
5 [ count ] : a small decorative object or detail that is different from the things that are around it
This type of plant is often used as a decorative accent.
used accents of bright colors in the new room
accent colors/lighting/plants
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ac·cent
II
/ˈækˌsɛnt, Brit əkˈsɛnt/ verb , -cents, -cent·ed, -cent·ing [ + obj ]
1 : to give special attention to (something)
His speech accented [=highlighted, emphasized] positive parts of the plan.
2 : to say (part of a word) with greater stress or force
When you say “before,” you should accent the second syllable. = You should accent the word “before” on the second syllable.
