easy
Her accent changed the way some words sounded.
What does Accent mean?
An accent is a way of pronouncing words; it can also mean stress or a written mark. To accent something is to emphasize it.
Dictionary definition
As a noun, an accent is a particular way of pronouncing a language, often connected with a region or community. Accent can also mean stress on a syllable, a written mark on a letter, or emphasis, including a decorative detail. As a verb, to accent means to emphasize something, stress a syllable, or add an accent mark.
Example sentences
Accent in a sentence
medium
The actor used a gentle accent for the character.
hard
An accent can show where someone learned a language.
medium
The word today has the accent on its second syllable.
medium
An accent above the final letter changes how this name is pronounced.
hard
Yellow trim can accent the doorway.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Accent
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Two speakers pronounce the same words differently because of where they learned to speak. What does accent mean here?
The clues are speakers and pronunciation. The other meanings of accent fit other contexts.
Practice 2
In "The word today has the accent on the second syllable", what does accent mean?
Here accent means the emphasis given to day in today. It does not refer to a regional accent or a printed mark.
Practice 3
Which verb replaces accent in "Yellow trim can accent the doorway"?
The trim can make the doorway stand out. This is the verb meaning emphasize, not the noun naming a way of speaking.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Accent
Voice settings
Sounds like
ak · sent · strongest beat: ak
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAccent.
Partnoun, verb.
MeaningAccent means An accent is a way of pronouncing words; it can also mean stress or a written mark. To accent something is to emphasize it.
ExampleExample: Her accent changed the way some words sounded.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ak · sent
- Strongest beat
- ak
- Ending
- sent
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ak.
Your turn
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Nice work—you practiced accent.
Synonyms
Words like Accent
stressAs a noun, use for emphasis on a syllable: the stress is on the second syllable. As a verb, use for emphasizing a syllable, not for naming a regional way of speaking.
emphasisAs a noun, use for special importance or prominence: an accent on quality is an emphasis on quality.
emphasizeAs a verb, use for giving something prominence: bright trim can accent or emphasize a doorway.
Antonym review
Does Accent have an opposite?
There is no single opposite covering the meanings of accent. Flat speech can still have a regional accent. For the verb meaning emphasize, de-emphasize describes giving less prominence; it is not an opposite of a regional accent or a written mark.
Synonym practice
Want to practice accent synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Her accent made some vowel sounds different," then compare close word choices. Practice accent synonyms.
Word family
Accent word family
Base word
accent
noun
accents
Plural of the noun: several regional accents or written accent marks.
verb
accented
Past tense and past participle of the verb: she accented the first syllable.
verb
accenting
The -ing form of the verb: accenting a syllable gives it emphasis.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Accent
Hint for students
Check the context: a speaker, a syllable, a letter, or a detail can point to different meanings.
Common mix-up
Accent is not the same as a flat or lively voice. A regional accent concerns pronunciation; dialect can also involve vocabulary and grammar. The noun is AK-sent; the verb also has an ak-SENT pronunciation.
Try it in class or at home
Label "a regional accent", "an accent on a letter", and "accent the second syllable" by meaning and part of speech. Write one sentence for two different meanings and explain the clues.
Teacher prompt
Compare these model sentences: "Her accent changed how the words sounded" and "Put the accent on the second syllable." What does accent name in each?
Learning activities
Practice Accent and explore more word games
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