Did you know?
When you accentuate something you put an “accent,” or emphasis, on it. There’s no need to stress out if you don’t know the word’s history, though; its journey into the English language was very straightforward. It comes from Latin accentus, meaning “accent” (which itself comes in part from cantus, meaning “song”), and since the early 18th century, its meanings haven’t changed much. The word was initially used as a synonym of the verb accent to mean “to pronounce with greater stress or force,” which is a small leap from today’s meaning of “to make something more noticeable; to emphasize.” One excellent way to remember not only how to pronounce accentuate but also its etymological connection to song is the classic (and helpfully titled) tune “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, which has been performed by such luminaries as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.
Examples of accentuate in a Sentence
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The simple cut of the top is accentuated by a contrasting lining around the hem and sleeves that add a refined touch to the set.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2025
Palmer accentuated the dress with a pair of sandal heels courtesy of Jimmy Choo and accessorized her look with jewelry pieces by Messika.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
There has to be a way to accentuate the best parts about TGL while also not getting in its way.
—Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accentuate
Cite this Entry
“Accentuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accentuate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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accentuate
verb
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