accent

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent How to pronounce accent (audio)
 chiefly British  -sənt
1
: an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables
also : the stress thus given a syllable
a word with the accent on the second syllable
2
: a distinctive manner of expression: such as
a
: a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region
spoke with a Russian accent
b
: an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words
usually used in plural
3
: rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals
4
a
: a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced
b
: an accented letter
5
music
a
: greater stress given to one musical tone than to its neighbors
6
a
: emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition
b
: an emphasized detail or area
especially : a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings
c
: a substance or object used for emphasis
a plant used as a decorative accent
7
: a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as
a
: a double prime
b
: prime
8
: special concern or attention : emphasis
an accent on youth
9
archaic : utterance entry 1
accentless adjective

accent

2 of 2

verb

ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent How to pronounce accent (audio)
ak-ˈsent
accented; accenting; accents

transitive verb

1
: to give special attention or prominence to (something)
TV shows that accent youth
: to make (something) more emphatic, noticeable, or distinct
columns that accent the vertical lines of the building
2
a
: to pronounce (part of a word) with greater stress or force : stress
Accent the second syllable of the word "before."
b
: to mark with a written or printed accent

Examples of accent in a Sentence

Noun Regional accents are common in the U.S. She spoke with an American accent. The tourist had a foreign accent. He has a heavy southern accent. The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable. Put the accent on the first syllable of the word. The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced. Verb the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Hardy makes the character his own, and of course imbues him with some accents and quirks. Elliott Smith and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 23 May 2024 The interior on Sunset Boulevard features Camel Coffee’s signature brown tones with natural wood finishes and vintage accents. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for accent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "modulation of the voice," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "modulation of the voice, prominence in pitch on a given syllable," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin accentus (loan translation of Greek prosōidía), from ad- ad- + cantus "song," action noun derivative of canere "to sing" — more at chant entry 1, prosody

Note: The word occurs in Old English as accent in the sense "accent mark" in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion, but there is no continuity between this and later uses.

Verb

borrowed from Middle French accenter "to pronounce with greater stress," in part derivative of accent accent entry 1, in part borrowed from Medieval Latin accentāre, variant of accentuāre — more at accentuate

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of accent was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near accent

Cite this Entry

“Accent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accent. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

accent

1 of 2 noun
ac·​cent ˈak-ˌsent How to pronounce accent (audio)
1
: a way of talking shared by a group (as the people of a country)
2
: greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speaking
before has the accent on the last syllable
3
: a mark (as ´, `, or ˆ accents) identifying a syllable that is stressed in speaking
4
: greater stress given to a beat in music
5
: an emphasized detail used for contrast

accent

2 of 2 verb
ac·​cent ak-ˈsent How to pronounce accent (audio)
ˈak-ˌsent
1
: to make more noticeable : emphasize
2
a
: to say with an accent : stress
b
: to mark with a written or printed accent

More from Merriam-Webster on accent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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