emphasise
EM-fuh-syz/ˈɛm.fə.saɪz/
Formsemphasises, emphasising, emphasised
US spellingemphasize · also used in the UK
- 1To show clearly that something is important, so that people notice it.
Use a highlighter to emphasise the words you need to learn.
Our coach emphasised how important it is to warm up first.
UsageSay emphasise the point, with no on. On goes with the noun: emphasis on.
Similarstress, highlight, underline, underscore, accentuate
Oppositedownplay, understate, minimise
Use it in a sentence
Write your own sentence with emphasise, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.
Origin
It is made from the word emphasis with the ending -ise; emphasis came from Latin, which took it from Ancient Greek.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Emphasise was formed in English from emphasis and -ise; the Latin and Greek borrowing history belongs to emphasis. en.wiktionary.org
- Emphasis comes from Latin, which borrowed it from Ancient Greek. en.wiktionary.org