accent

Definition

  • noun: a way of pronouncing words that occurs among the people in a particular region or country
  • noun: an articulative effort giving prominence to one syllable over adjacent syllables
  • verb: to pronounce with accent
  • verb: to give special attention to (something)
  • usually + 'on'
  • synonyms: stress, tone, word

Examples

  • When you say “before,” you should 'accent' the second syllable. = You should 'accent' the word “before” on the second syllable.

  • The 'accents' in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced.

  • His speech 'accented' [='highlighted, emphasized'] positive parts of the plan.

Movie quotes

  • (..) When I was eight, that time in Vermont. We got snowed in with the ski instructor. - Demitri. - Bill. He reminded me a lot of your father. Dark curls, olive skin, Cold War accent. - My father was Russian? - I don't remember. But what I do remember is we drank a lot of vodka and shot a lot of guns. (..)
    2011 Friends with Benefits