EnglishMain Dictionary
accent
Universal Words
noun, verb
noun
1 [C,U] a way of pronouncing the words of a language that shows which country or area a person comes from:
a northern / Dublin / Indian accent * a strong / broad Scottish accent (= one that is very noticeable) * She spoke English with a faint Dutch accent.
compareDIALECT
2 [sing.] a special importance that is given to sth:
In all our products the accent is on quality.
3 [C] the emphasis that you should give to part of a word when saying it:
In 'today' the accent is on the second syllable.
4 [C] a mark on a letter to show that it should be pronounced in a particular way:
Canape has an accent on the 'e'.
verb [VN] (rare) to emphasize a part of sth:
The women accent their eyes with make-up.
