accent
Pluralaccents
Verbaccents, accenting, accented
Pluralaccents
Formsaccents, accenting, accented
- 1The way a person speaks a language that shows where they come from or what their first language is.
She has a strong Irish accent.
You can tell from his accent that he grew up in Texas.
UsageSay a strong accent or speak with an accent.
Similarpronunciation
Note
- 2
- 3To make something stand out or seem more important.
A red scarf accents the plain gray coat.
The speech will accent the need for more nurses.
Similaremphasize, highlight, underscore, underline, stress
Oppositedownplay, minimize, understate, obscure
- 4A small mark written over a letter to show how to say it.
The name Cézanne has an accent over the first e.
Do not forget the accent on café.
UsageSay an accent on or over a letter.
Similardiacritic
Note
- 5Extra force or a higher voice on one part of a word, or on certain beats in poetry.
Like hitting one drum beat a little harder than the rest.
In the word careful, the accent is on the first part.
Put the accent on the second syllable of begin.
UsageSay the accent is on the first syllable.
Note
- 6
- 7
Less common meanings
- 8The tone or feeling in someone's voice.
She spoke in gentle accents, and the frightened child grew calm.
There was an accent of fear in his voice.
UsageSay an accent of fear. It is about feeling, not where you are from.
Similartone, intonation, inflection, modulation, cadence
Note
- 9
- 10To write accent marks on letters.
Don't forget to accent the final e in 'fiancé.'
The typist accented every French name correctly.
- 11In written music, a mark that tells you to play a note louder.
Play the note with the accent a little harder.
The composer put an accent over every third note.
UsageAn accent goes above or below a note.
Note
- 12In old or poetic writing, words that someone says, or the sound of their voice.
I heard my landlady's accents attuned to nervous civility, mingling with the mellow tones of a deep masculine voice,
1895, Marie Corelli, The Sorrows of Satan: or The Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest - 13In math, the small mark like a tick after a letter, as in x'.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
It came through Middle English from Latin accentus, from a verb meaning 'to sing along.'
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Accent came through Middle English, ultimately from Latin accentus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin accentus derives from a verb meaning 'to sing along'. en.wiktionary.org
From Middle French accenter, which came from Latin accentus.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- The English verb accent derives from Middle French accenter. en.wiktionary.org
- Middle French accenter ultimately derives from Latin accentus. en.wiktionary.org