Words / B2

EMF-uh-syz/ˈemfəsaɪz/

To emphasize (British spelling: emphasise) is to give extra weight to a point so it is not missed. You emphasise the importance / need / fact that; stress is more informal and spoken, while highlight is close in essays. Emphasis is the noun: place emphasis on — it is about focus, not volume.

Meaning

To give special importance to something.

Examples

• “The coach emphasized the need for practice.”
• “The article emphasises the risks of sitting all day.”
• “I want to emphasise that this is only a draft.”

Good to know

British: emphasise. emphasise the importance of. Noun: emphasis (on).

Near in meaning

stress, highlight

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