em ‧ pha ‧ sis S3 W2 AC /ˈemfəsəs, ˈemfəsɪs/ BrE AmE noun ( plural emphases /-siːz/) [uncountable and countable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ emphasize ; noun : ↑ emphasis ; adverb : ↑ emphatically ; adjective : ↑ emphatic ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: Greek , from emphainein 'to show' ]
1 . special attention or importance
emphasis on
In Japan there is a lot of emphasis on politeness.
put/place emphasis on something
The course places emphasis on practical work.
a change of emphasis in government policy
2 . special importance that is given to a word or phrase by saying it louder or higher, or by printing it in a special way ⇨ stress
emphasis on
The emphasis should be on the first syllable.
‘And I can assure you,’ she said with emphasis, ‘that he is innocent.’
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ put emphasis on something
We need to put greater emphasis on planning.
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The airline is accused of placing more emphasis on profit than on safety.
▪ place/lay emphasis on something formal
The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team.
▪ give emphasis to something
Since league tables were introduced, schools have given even greater emphasis to exam results.
▪ shift the emphasis (=change the emphasis to something else)
With drug addicts, we need to shift the emphasis from punishment to treatment.
▪ add emphasis (=make an opinion or fact seem more important)
Put bullet points before each statement to add emphasis.
▪ the emphasis shifts/moves (=changes)
The emphasis is now shifting away from oil towards renewable sources of energy.
■ adjectives
▪ great emphasis
The company places great emphasis on customer care.
▪ a strong/heavy emphasis
There is a strong emphasis on research in the university.
▪ the main emphasis
The main emphasis must be on quality, not quantity.
▪ particular/special emphasis
The new legislation places particular emphasis on energy conservation.
▪ increased/increasing emphasis
Recently, there has been an increasing emphasis on creating more jobs.
▪ considerable emphasis
Most religions put considerable emphasis on the importance of marriage.
■ phrases
▪ a change of emphasis ( also a shift in emphasis )
There has been a change of emphasis in the government’s foreign policy.