1
: an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables
also
: the stress thus given a syllable
a word with the accent on the second syllable
2
: a distinctive manner of expression: such as
a
: a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region
spoke with a Russian accent
b
: an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words
—usually used in plural
3
: rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals
4
a
: a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced
b
: an accented letter
5
6
a
: emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition
b
: an emphasized detail or area
especially
: a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings
c
: a substance or object used for emphasis
a plant used as a decorative accent
7
: a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as
a
: a double prime
b
: prime
8
: special concern or attention : emphasis
an accent on youth
9
archaic
: utterance entry 1
accented; accenting; accents
1
: to give special attention or prominence to (something)
TV shows that accent youth
: to make (something) more emphatic, noticeable, or distinct
columns that accent the vertical lines of the building
2
a
: to pronounce (part of a word) with greater stress or force : stress
Accent the second syllable of the word "before."
b
: to mark with a written or printed accent
Synonyms
Examples of accent in a Sentence
Noun
Regional accents are common in the U.S.
She spoke with an American accent.
The tourist had a foreign accent.
He has a heavy southern accent.
The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable.
Put the accent on the first syllable of the word.
The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced.
Verb
the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2024
At the stylish new outpost of Wall Street watering hole Harry’s — boasting elegant booths and bronze accents — blazers and pastels have been abandoned.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Located within the swanky Manhattan West development, the Pendry Manhattan West brings California cool to the Big Apple through design elements like lush greenery, modern furnishings, and light wood accents.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024
Kevin Nealon, on his YouTube show, Hiking With Kevin, asked Von back in 2019 about his Louisiana accent.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Some people said they were robbed multiple times, by men speaking an Indigenous language and, separately, by men speaking Spanish with a Colombian accent.
—Julie Turkewitz Federico Rios, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Decked out in classic Versace silhouettes (and plenty of gold medallion accents), Murphy says the campaign reflects his true self.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Each villa pairs a warm palette with wooden furnishings and glitzy gold accents.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The atmosphere, too, was pleasant: tropical modern, with gloss-white plates and tan booths, a black stone bar, soaring stone accent wall, wood plank and ceramic floors below.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
For the iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, Perry kept the skin-baring aesthetic going in a mesh slip dress accented with red ribbons.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Only a few A-list men once again abandoned thoughts of a tie, including Ryan Gosling in a custom Gucci suit, subtly accented with crystals and balancing notions of formal and relaxed nicely.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
This bundle of ideals was best expressed in the Slab table, with a top made from a single slice of American black walnut or cherry, occasionally accented with functional elements like a stabilizing butterfly joint.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
With a cacophony of saws, nail guns and heavily accented (but good-natured) bickering and ribbing among the siblings and the crew, the magic happens over and over.
—Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The gilded lobby, accented by marble and crystal chandeliers, is like stepping back in time.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024
Gilbert felt that Gauff could use her game differently, accent her strengths more.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
The display garden explodes with bearded and beardless irises in rare colors like pale blue, copper, deep burgundy, and pale peach accented with bright orange and deep purple.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Saturday, wearing a white ball cap embroidered with the red Fireballs insignia, a yellow and black polo with red accents over a white long-sleeve shirt, and white pants, Garcia birdied the par-5 first hole, hitting the cup with his third shot for a near eagle.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2024
At the stylish new outpost of Wall Street watering hole Harry’s — boasting elegant booths and bronze accents — blazers and pastels have been abandoned.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Located within the swanky Manhattan West development, the Pendry Manhattan West brings California cool to the Big Apple through design elements like lush greenery, modern furnishings, and light wood accents.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024
Kevin Nealon, on his YouTube show, Hiking With Kevin, asked Von back in 2019 about his Louisiana accent.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Some people said they were robbed multiple times, by men speaking an Indigenous language and, separately, by men speaking Spanish with a Colombian accent.
—Julie Turkewitz Federico Rios, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Decked out in classic Versace silhouettes (and plenty of gold medallion accents), Murphy says the campaign reflects his true self.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Each villa pairs a warm palette with wooden furnishings and glitzy gold accents.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The atmosphere, too, was pleasant: tropical modern, with gloss-white plates and tan booths, a black stone bar, soaring stone accent wall, wood plank and ceramic floors below.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
Verb
Similar to Omar’s Infinity House in Los Angeles, The Dragon has a double-height entryway accented by vertical wooden panels, but the darker, moodier exterior featuring matte-black metal panels, a box-gable roof, and a meandering layout sets it squarely apart.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
For the iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, Perry kept the skin-baring aesthetic going in a mesh slip dress accented with red ribbons.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Only a few A-list men once again abandoned thoughts of a tie, including Ryan Gosling in a custom Gucci suit, subtly accented with crystals and balancing notions of formal and relaxed nicely.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
This bundle of ideals was best expressed in the Slab table, with a top made from a single slice of American black walnut or cherry, occasionally accented with functional elements like a stabilizing butterfly joint.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
With a cacophony of saws, nail guns and heavily accented (but good-natured) bickering and ribbing among the siblings and the crew, the magic happens over and over.
—Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The gilded lobby, accented by marble and crystal chandeliers, is like stepping back in time.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024
Gilbert felt that Gauff could use her game differently, accent her strengths more.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
The display garden explodes with bearded and beardless irises in rare colors like pale blue, copper, deep burgundy, and pale peach accented with bright orange and deep purple.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to accent
Dictionary Entries Near accent
Cite this Entry
“Accent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accent. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
accent
1 of 2 noun
ac·cent
ˈak-ˌsent 
1
: a way of talking shared by a group (as the people of a country)
2
: greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speaking
before has the accent on the last syllable
3
: a mark (as ´, `, or ˆ accents) identifying a syllable that is stressed in speaking
4
: greater stress given to a beat in music
5
: an emphasized detail used for contrast
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