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Meaning & use

accenting

noun, verb·Advanced

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UK/ˈæksəntɪŋ/
US/ˈæksentɪŋ/

“accenting” is a form of “accent”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabletechnical

    The act of giving special force or emphasis to a particular word, sound, or beat.

    Grammar: Uncountable: you say 'the accenting of a word', not 'an accenting'.

    Patterns

    • the accenting of something
    • accenting in something

    The accenting of the final syllable makes the word sound French.

    Good accenting in jazz drumming keeps the rhythm alive.

    Her accenting of key words helped the audience follow the argument.

  2. verbtransitive

    Present participle of 'accent': emphasizing a word, sound, or feature.

    Grammar: Used after be or as a participle: 'She is accenting the first beat.' Takes an object.

    Patterns

    • accenting something
    • be accenting something

    The teacher is accenting the difference between the two sounds.

    By accenting the wrong syllable, he changed the meaning of the word.

    The designer is accenting the room with bright cushions.

Common combinations

accenting a syllable
In poetry, accenting a syllable can change the whole rhythm.
accenting the beat
The drummer kept accenting the beat on the second and fourth counts.
accenting a word
Accenting a word in a sentence can change its focus.
heavy accenting
The heavy accenting of the chorus made the song memorable.

Synonyms and how they differ

stressing
More common in everyday speech; 'accenting' sounds slightly more technical or musical.
emphasizing
Focuses on importance rather than sound; 'accenting' is about sound or rhythm.
highlighting
Used for visual or general attention, not for speech sounds or beats.

Word family

accent noun
A way of pronouncing words, or a mark over a letter.
accent verb
To emphasize a word, sound, or feature.
accented adjective
Having a particular accent, or given emphasis.

Commonly confused: accenting or ascending? accenting or assenting?

accenting vs ascending

Sounds similar but means 'going up'. 'Accenting' is about emphasis or pronunciation.

accenting vs assenting

Means 'agreeing'. 'Accenting' is about stress or emphasis.

Practice

In the word 'record' as a noun, the accenting falls on the first syllable. What does 'accenting' mean here?

Make it your own

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