How to Use Emphasize: Definition & Examples

Meaning 1：stress the importance of (emphasize)

emphasize 🔊

/ˈem.fə.saɪz/

vt.

To say or show that something is very important.

Teacher emphasizing a key word on whiteboard to illustrate the meaning of emphasize

stress the importance of 🔊

➕

/stres ði ɪmˈpɔːrtns ɒv/

vt.

To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking, writing, or visual presentation.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek, via Latin, 'en-' (in) + 'phasis' (speech, appearance). Literally 'to put in speech/appearance', meaning to give prominence.

💡 Mnemonic

EMPHASIZE sounds like 'M for More' – it makes a point MORE important.

📖 Example

The teacher emphasized that finishing homework on time is the key to success. 🔊 The instructor highlighted that completing assignments promptly is crucial for achieving good results.

🔗 Collocations

emphasize the need for – to stress that something is necessary

emphasize a point – to make a particular idea or argument stand out

emphasize repeatedly – to stress something again and again

🔄 Synonyms

stress (vt.) – To give particular emphasis or importance to a point, idea, or detail.

highlight (vt.) – To draw special attention to a particular fact, idea, or event.

underline (vt.) – To emphasize or show that something is important or true.

🚫 Antonyms

downplay (vt.) – To make something appear less important or significant than it really is.

understate (vt.) – To describe or represent something as being smaller or less important than it actually is.

de-emphasize (vt.) – To reduce the emphasis or importance given to something.

🌱 Derivatives

emphasis (n.) – Special importance, value, or prominence given to something.

emphatic (adj.) – Showing or giving emphasis; expressed with strong feeling or conviction.

emphatically (adv.) – In a forceful and definite way; clearly.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Greek 'emphainein' (to exhibit), entering English via Latin and Middle French. It is a core term in rhetoric and modern communication, frequently used in education, public speaking, and business presentations to signal a key point.