accent

Noun

• a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation

• the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
  • he put the stress on the wrong syllable
    

• the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
  • the immigrants spoke an odd dialect of English
    
  • he has a strong German accent
    
  • it has been said that a language is a dialect with an army and navy
    

• special importance or significance
  • the red light gave the central figure increased emphasis
    
  • the room was decorated in shades of grey with distinctive red accents
    

• distinctive manner of oral expression
  • he couldn't suppress his contemptuous accent
    
  • she had a very clear speech pattern
    

Verb

• put stress on; utter with an accent
  • In Farsi, you accent the last syllable of each word
    

• to stress, single out as important
  • Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  accent mark , stress , emphasis , dialect , idiom , speech pattern , accentuate , emphasize , emphasise , punctuate