emphasize verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of emphasize verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

emphasize

verb
 
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
(British English also emphasise)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they emphasize
 
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
he / she / it emphasizes
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzɪz/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzɪz/
past simple emphasized
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzd/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzd/
past participle emphasized
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzd/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzd/
-ing form emphasizing
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzɪŋ/
 
/ˈemfəsaɪzɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. to give special importance to something synonym stress
    • emphasize something His speech emphasized the importance of attracting industry to the town.
    • The report emphasizes the need for economic stability.
    • She emphasized the point in an interview at the weekend.
    • emphasize that… She emphasized that their plan would mean sacrifices and hard work.
    • emphasize how, what, etc… He emphasized how little was known about the disease.
    • it must/should be emphasized that… It should be emphasized that this is only one possible explanation.
    • + speech ‘This must be our top priority,’ he emphasized.
    Language Bank emphasisemphasisHighlighting an important point
      • This case emphasizes the importance of honest communication between managers and employees.
      • The study highlights how important good communication is for an organization.
      • Effective communication skills are essential.
      • Excellent communication skills are crucial for a negotiator.
      • Good communication skills are vital to career success.
      • It should be noted that this study considers only verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is not dealt with here.
      • It is important to remember that non-verbal communication plays a key role in getting your message across.
      • An important point to remember is that good communication is a two-way process.
      • Communication is not only about the words you use but also your body language and, especially/above all, the effectiveness with which you listen.
      • I would like to draw attention to the role of listening in effective communication.
      • Choose your words carefully: in particular, avoid confusing and ambiguous language.
      • Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must learn to listen as well as to speak.
    Extra Examples
    • All the arguments serve to emphasize the controversy surrounding this disease.
    • I have been at pains to emphasize the positive aspects of discipline.
    • I must emphasize that this is only a summary, and the full report will not be available until next week.
    • It is important to emphasize this point.
    • The new law rightly emphasizes parental responsibility.
    • The foreign minister was at great pains to emphasize the role that Spain could play in the region.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • clearly
    • heavily
    • strongly
    verb + emphasize
    • must
    • should
    • be important to
    See full entry
  2. emphasize something to make something easier to notice
    • She swept her hair back from her face to emphasize her high cheekbones.
    • The rising tone of his voice emphasized his panic.
  3. emphasize something to give extra force to a word or phrase when you are speaking, especially to show that it is important
    • ‘Let nothing… nothing,’ he emphasized the word, ‘tempt you.’
    Synonyms stressstressemphasizeThese words both mean to give extra force to a syllable, word or phrase when you are saying it.stress to give extra force to a word or syllable when saying it:
    • You stress the first syllable in ‘happiness’.
    emphasize to give extra force to a word or phrase when saying it, especially to show that it is important:
    • ‘Let nothing … nothing,’ he emphasized the word, ‘tempt you.’
See emphasize in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee emphasize in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
brink
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Danger
C2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day