Accent vs. Accentuate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 21, 2024
"Accent" refers to distinctive ways of pronunciation specific to a region or group, while "accentuate" means to emphasize or make more noticeable.
Difference Between Accent and Accentuate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An accent is a pattern of pronunciation that marks regional or social identity, recognizable in a person’s speech. It can denote where a person comes from or which social group they identify with. On the other hand, to accentuate is a verb that implies enhancing or drawing attention to certain features or aspects, not necessarily related to speech.
Accents are inherent to spoken language and vary widely across different geographical areas and among social groups. Each accent has unique characteristics in terms of intonation, pronunciation, and rhythm. Whereas accentuating can apply to various elements such as physical features, aspects of a design, or parts of a written or spoken statement, aiming to make them more prominent or significant.
The use of the term "accent" is primarily linguistic, focusing on auditory distinctions in speech. This contrasts with accentuate, which is used more broadly in both verbal and non-verbal contexts, such as in fashion (to accentuate a waistline) or in literature (to accentuate a theme).
When discussing accents, the focus is often on the diversity and richness of language as it varies from one place to another or among different social settings. Conversely, when using the term accentuate, the discussion revolves around techniques and methods to highlight or focus attention on specific attributes or details.
While everyone has an accent regardless of their awareness of it, the decision to accentuate something is usually deliberate and intentional, aimed at achieving a particular effect or reaction from an audience.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A distinctive way of pronouncing words in language
To emphasize or highlight features
Usage
Linguistic, describes speech patterns
Broad, applies to various contexts beyond speech
Focus
Pronunciation and intonation
Enhancement and emphasis of features
Intent
Inherent, often subconscious
Deliberate, with specific intent to highlight
Examples
British accent, Southern accent
Accentuate the positive, accentuate facial features
Compare with Definitions
Accent
A distinctive mode or style of expression.
His writing has a strong philosophical accent.
Accentuate
To emphasize or stress something.
The speaker used gestures to accentuate his points.
Accent
A way of pronunciation particular to a region or group.
Her British accent was noticeable.
Accentuate
To underscore or punctuate.
His speech accentuates the need for urgent action.
Accent
A mark used to indicate pronunciation.
The café sign has an accent over the 'e'.
Accentuate
To highlight or make more noticeable.
She wore dark colors to accentuate the artwork.
Accent
The emphasis on a particular syllable or word.
The accent in record changes based on noun or verb usage.
Accentuate
To draw attention to.
The design accentuates the building’s modern lines.
Accent
Musical emphasis on a particular note.
The composer uses accents to highlight key motifs.
Accentuate
To intensify or heighten features.
The lighting was used to accentuate the drama of the scene.
Accent
The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone.
Accentuate
Make more noticeable or prominent
His jacket unfortunately accentuated his paunch
Accent
Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or phrase.
Accentuate
To stress or emphasize; intensify
"land-reform plans that accentuated the already chaotic pattern of landholding" (James Fallows).
Accent
One determined by the regional or social background of the speaker.
Accentuate
To pronounce with a stress or accent.
Accent
One determined by the phonetic characteristics of the speaker's native language carried over to that speaker's use of another language.
Accentuate
To mark with an accent.
Accent
A mark or symbol used in the printing and writing of certain languages to indicate the vocal quality to be given to a particular letter
An acute accent.
Accentuate
(transitive) To pronounce with an accent or vocal stress.
Accent
A mark or symbol used in printing and writing to indicate the stressed syllables of a spoken word.
Accentuate
(transitive) To bring out distinctly; to make more noticeable or prominent; to emphasize.
Accent
Rhythmically significant stress in a line of verse.
Accentuate
(transitive) To mark with a written accent.
Accent
Emphasis or prominence given to a note or chord, as by an increase in volume or extended duration.
Accentuate
To pronounce with an accent or with accents.
Accent
A mark representing this.
Accentuate
To bring out distinctly; to make prominent; to emphasize.
In Bosnia, the struggle between East and West was even more accentuated.
Accent
A mark used as a superscript to distinguish among variables represented by the same symbol.
Accentuate
To mark with the written accent.
Accent
A mark used as a superscript to indicate the first derivative of a variable.
Accentuate
To stress, single out as important;
Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet
Accent
A mark or one of several marks used as a superscript to indicate a unit, such as feet (′) and inches (") in linear measurement.
Accentuate
Put stress on; utter with an accent;
In Farsi, you accent the last syllable of each word
Accent
A distinctive feature or quality, such as a feature that accentuates, contrasts with, or complements a decorative style.
Accent
Something that accentuates or contrasts something else, as a touch of color that makes the features of an image stand out.
Accent
Particular importance or interest; emphasis
The accent is on comfort.
Accent
To stress or emphasize the pronunciation of
Accented the first syllable in “debacle.”.
Accent
To mark with a printed accent.
Accent
To focus attention on; accentuate
A program that accents leadership development.
Accent
(linguistics) 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.
In the word "careful", the accent is placed on the first syllable.
Accent
(figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.
At this hotel, the accent is on luxury.
Accent
(orthography) A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.
The name Cézanne is written with an acute accent.
Accent
Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.
Accent
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 foreign accent
A broad Irish accent
A hint of a German accent
Accent
A manner of pronunciation suggesting that the speaker is from a different region; a foreign accent.
My professor's accent is so thick that it's difficult to understand her lectures.
She spoke with a strong accent that betrayed her southern roots.
I was surprised to learn that he was an immigrant, as he spoke without any accent.
Accent
(sign languages) 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.
Accent
A word; a significant tone or sound.
Accent
Expressions in general; speech.
Accent
Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
Accent
(music) A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
Accent
(music) A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
Accent
(music) A mark used to represent this special emphasis.The third and fourth symbols are accents (marks used to represent special emphasis in music).
Accent
(music) The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.
Accent
(mathematics) A prime symbol.
Accent
Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings.
Accent color
Accent
A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.
Accent
(archaic) Utterance.
Accent
(transitive) To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.
Accent
(transitive) To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.
Accent
(transitive) To mark with written accents.
Accent
A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.
Accent
A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.
Accent
Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent.
The tender accent of a woman's cry.
Accent
A word; a significant tone
Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear,Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear.
Accent
Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
Accent
A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
Accent
A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y´, y.
Accent
To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to utter or to mark with accent.
Accent
To mark emphatically; to emphasize.
Accent
Distinctive manner of oral expression;
He couldn't suppress his contemptuous accent
She had a very clear speech pattern
Accent
Special importance or significance;
The red light gave the central figure increased emphasis
The room was decorated in shades of gray with distinctive red accents
Accent
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
Accent
The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);
He put the stress on the wrong syllable
Accent
A diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation
Accent
To stress, single out as important;
Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet
Accent
Put stress on; utter with an accent;
In Farsi, you accent the last syllable of each word
Common Curiosities
What defines an accent?
An accent is defined by distinctive pronunciation patterns that reflect regional or social affiliations.
Can someone have multiple accents?
Yes, individuals can adopt or switch between multiple accents, often influenced by their environments.
Do accents change over time?
Yes, accents can evolve due to influences like migration, social changes, and media.
Are accents always obvious?
Not always; some accents may be subtle and less readily identifiable than others.
How can accentuating be used in writing?
In writing, accentuating can be achieved through stylistic choices like italics, bold text, or repetition to highlight specific points.
How does one accentuate a feature?
Accentuating a feature involves using various methods to make it more prominent or noticeable.
Can accentuating something change perceptions?
Yes, accentuating particular features can significantly alter how they are perceived.
How are accents perceived in different cultures?
Perceptions of accents vary widely across cultures, often influenced by social attitudes and historical contexts.
What does it mean to accentuate the positive?
To accentuate the positive means to focus on and highlight positive aspects of a situation.
Is accentuating always visual?
No, accentuating can be applied in auditory, visual, and contextual forms.
What techniques are used to accentuate in art?
In art, techniques such as contrast, color, and focus are used to accentuate certain aspects of the artwork.
Are there negative implications of having a strong accent?
In some contexts, strong accents might lead to misunderstandings or stereotyping.
What role do accents play in identity?
Accents can play a crucial role in cultural and regional identity, often reflecting one's background and upbringing.
Is an accent a choice?
While accent adoption can sometimes be intentional, most accents are acquired subconsciously.
Can accentuating be overdone?
Yes, over-accentuating can make features or points seem forced or overly emphasized.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
