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Definition of emphasis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

emphasis

noun
 
/ˈemfəsɪs/
 
/ˈemfəsɪs/
(plural emphases
 
/ˈemfəsiːz/
 
/ˈemfəsiːz/
)
[uncountable, countable]
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  1. special importance that is given to something synonym stress
    • emphasis on/upon something Since the elections there has been a greater emphasis on education.
    • to put/lay/place emphasis on something
    • to put particular/special/strong emphasis on something
    • Increased emphasis is now being placed on corporate image.
    • emphasis on/upon doing something The emphasis is very much on learning the spoken language.
    • There is too much emphasis on reducing costs.
    • with an emphasis on something We provide all types of information, with an emphasis on legal advice.
    • There has been a shift of emphasis from manufacturing to service industries.
    • The course has a vocational emphasis.
    • The examples we will look at have quite different emphases.
    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.
    note at essentiallanguage bank at vital
    Extra Examples
    • The alternative explanation puts more emphasis on economic factors.
    • Both subjects should be given equal emphasis.
    • Education received special emphasis.
    • Examine the events leading to the war, with particular emphasis on France's role in them.
    • I believe the education system places undue emphasis on exam results.
    • In recent years, the emphasis has moved away from punishing drug addicts towards helping them.
    • Little emphasis was placed on educating people about the dangers.
    • The Democrats shifted the emphasis away from direct taxation.
    • The company lays great emphasis on customer care.
    • The emphasis is on keeping fit rather than developing lots of muscles.
    • We discussed where the main emphasis should be placed.
    • a cultural emphasis on educational achievement
    • schools that put a heavy emphasis on sporting achievement
    • a new emphasis on individuality and creative expression
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • great
    verb + emphasis
    • give
    • lay
    • place
    emphasis + verb
    • move
    • shift
    • fall on something
    preposition
    • emphasis on
    • emphasis upon
    phrases
    • a change of emphasis
    • a shift of emphasis
    See full entry
  2. the extra force given to a word or phrase when spoken, especially in order to show that it is important; a way of writing a word (for example drawing a line below it) to show that it is important synonym stress
    • emphasis on something You're placing the emphasis on the wrong syllable.
    • He put extra emphasis on the word ‘never’.
    • with emphasis ‘I can assure you,’ she added with emphasis, ‘the figures are correct.’
    Extra Examples
    • His slight emphasis on the word ‘lady’ was definitely mocking.
    • She repeated the question with emphasis.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • slight
    • extra
    verb + emphasis
    • put
    preposition
    • with emphasis
    • emphasis on
    See full entry
  3. Word Originlate 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek, originally ‘appearance, show’, later denoting a figure of speech in which more is implied than is said (the original sense in English), from emphainein ‘exhibit’, from em- ‘in, within’ + phainein ‘to show’.
See emphasis in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee emphasis in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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