What does emphasis mean?
Emphasis is the special importance, attention, or stress given to something, whether in speech, writing, art, or conduct. When a speaker emphasizes a word, they pronounce it with greater force so it stands out from its surroundings; when a report places emphasis on safety, it treats safety as a priority deserving particular attention. The word carries no strong connotation of its own — emphasis can be welcome or excessive — but it always signals that one element has been singled out above others. It is an essential term for discussing communication and priority-setting: teachers place emphasis on skills, designers use emphasis to draw the eye, and politicians shift emphasis between issues. Derived forms such as 'emphasize' and 'emphatic' are among the most common verbs and adjectives in English argument and persuasion. Because English borrows few words with this exact pattern of pluralization, 'emphases' remains a distinctive, learned form.
nounSpecial importance, attention, or stress given to something in speech, writing, or action. It also refers to the forceful delivery of a word or phrase to make it stand out.
- Special importance, value, or prominence given to something (e.g., 'an emphasis on safety').
- Stress laid on a word or phrase in speech or writing to give it force or distinctiveness.
- Forcefulness of expression or manner; intensity or vigor.
"The teacher placed particular emphasis on reading widely."
"The school places great emphasis on creative thinking."
"'Never,' she said with heavy emphasis, 'do that again.'"
The plural 'emphases' follows the Greek-derived -is → -es pattern (like 'analyses'). It is correct but uncommon, appearing mostly in academic or formal writing; many writers simply rephrase.
"The two essays have very different emphases despite covering the same events."
"Emphasis" comes from a Greek word meaning "to show within" — when you emphasize something, you're literally displaying what's inside it for all to see.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of emphasis
Emphasis entered English in the late 16th century from Latin, which took it from Greek emphasis, meaning 'significance' or 'force of expression'. The Greek noun derives from the verb emphainein, formed from em- ('in') and phainein ('to show'), so the original sense was something like 'that which is shown within' — an implied meaning beneath the surface words. Over time the sense shifted from implied significance to overt stress or importance. It shares its root phainein with words like 'phenomenon' and 'diaphanous', and gave rise to English derivatives 'emphasize' and 'emphatic'.
Related word forms
How emphasis is actually used
Standard register; used freely in formal and everyday contexts. The verb is usually 'emphasize' (US) or 'emphasise' (UK). Common constructions are 'place/put/lay emphasis on' rather than 'give emphasis to', though both occur. The plural 'emphases' is correct but rare outside academic writing.
Easily confused with emphasis
Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person's feelings, while emphasis is special importance or stress given to something.