What does "accent" mean?
A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.
Accent
/ˈak.sənt/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.
- Grammar: accent is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: accent mark, dialect, speech pattern, stress.
- Useful contrasts: background feature, diminishing, downplay.
- Usage evidence: He is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent.
How to use "accent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "accent" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "accent" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "accent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "accent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "accent" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accent mark" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "accent", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it. countable, uncountable
"In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable."
- 2 a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation wordnet
- 3 Emphasis or importance in general. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"At this hotel, the accent is on luxury."
- 4 the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch) wordnet
- 5 A mark used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress. countable, uncountable
Show 19 more definitions
- 6 distinctive manner of oral expression wordnet
- 7 Any mark used in writing over letters, either in order to indicate the place of the spoken stress, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked, or to distinguish homophones. countable, uncountable
"The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent."
- 8 the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people wordnet
- 9 Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone. countable, uncountable
"I know, sir, I am no flatterer: he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave; which for my part I will not be, though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to 't."
- 10 special importance or significance wordnet
- 11 The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect. countable, uncountable
"a foreign accent"
- 12 The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.; A manner of pronunciation suggesting that the speaker is from a different region; a foreign accent. countable, informal, proscribed, sometimes, uncountable
"My professor's accent is so thick that it's difficult to understand her lectures."
- 13 The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.; A distinctive manner of producing a sign language, such as someone who does not normally use a certain sign language might have when using it. countable, uncountable
"I believe I still retain some of my hearing accent when I use American Sign Language."
- 14 A word; a significant tone or sound. countable, uncountable
"I heard my landlady's accents attuned to nervous civility, mingling with the mellow tones of a deep masculine voice,"
- 15 Expressions in general; speech. countable, plural, plural-only, uncountable, usually
"Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear, / Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear."
- 16 Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse. countable, uncountable
- 17 A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure. countable, uncountable
- 18 A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure. countable, uncountable
- 19 A mark used to represent this special emphasis. countable, uncountable
- 20 The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period. countable, uncountable
- 21 A prime symbol. countable, uncountable
- 22 Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings. countable, uncountable
"accent color"
- 23 A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery. countable, uncountable
- 24 Utterance. archaic, countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent. transitive
- 2 put stress on; utter with an accent wordnet
- 3 To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent. transitive
- 4 to stress, single out as important wordnet
- 5 To mark with written accents. transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"He is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "accent"?
Common synonyms include: accent mark, dialect, speech pattern, stress, accent mark, accent type.
How do you use "accent" in a sentence?
He is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent.
How do you pronounce "accent"?
Pronounced /ˈak.sənt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English accent, from Medieval Latin accentus and Old French accent, acent, both from Latin accentus, past participle of accinō (“sing to, sing along”). The word accent had been borrowed into Old English already, but was lost and reborrowed in Middle English.
Etymology 2
From Middle French accenter, from Old French accenter, from Latin accentō, from accentus.