accent

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A distinctive way of pronouncing a language, linked to a region, country, or social group.

   Grammar: Plural accents; it describes pronunciation, not grammar or vocabulary.

   Patterns

   • a strong accent
   • a regional accent
   • speak with an accent

   She speaks English with a soft Scottish accent.

   His accent changed after he lived abroad for years.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountabletechnical

   Special emphasis placed on a syllable, word, or musical note, sometimes shown by a mark.

   Grammar: Count an accent on one syllable; use uncountable for emphasis generally.

   Patterns

   • the accent falls on
   • primary accent
   • accent mark

   In “banana,” the accent falls on the second syllable.

   The composer wrote an accent above the final chord.

3. 3nouncountable

   A detail that adds emphasis or contrast, such as a color, lighting feature, or decorative touch.

   Grammar: Common in design phrases: an accent wall is a contrast wall.

   Patterns

   • accent wall
   • accent lighting
   • an accent color

   They painted one accent wall deep green.

   Brass lamps provide warm accent lighting.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To emphasize a syllable, word, feature, or detail.

   Grammar: Takes an object: accent the first syllable; compare noun an accent.

   Patterns

   • accent the syllable
   • accent a feature

   Please accent the second syllable in “hotel.”

   The designer used red pillows to accent the gray sofa.

Word forms

Common combinations

strong accent

A strong accent can make names harder to catch.

regional accent

The actor studied a regional accent for the role.

accent mark

The accent mark changes the pronunciation.

accent wall

An accent wall can warm a plain room.

Synonyms and how they differ

pronunciation

Pronunciation is the general production of sounds; an accent is a socially or regionally recognizable pattern within it.

stress

Stress specifically means emphasis on a syllable, while accent can also mean a whole regional pronunciation.

emphasis

Emphasis is broader attention or importance; accent often suggests contrast or highlighting.

Word family

accented adjective

Spoken with an accent or emphasized.

accentuate verb

To make something more noticeable.

accentuation noun

Emphasis or stress pattern.

Commonly confused: accent or ascent? accent or assent?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “accent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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