Definition

To make something more noticeable or important by stressing it or highlighting it.

Example

The teacher wanted to emphasize the importance of studying for the exam.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I think we should really emphasize the main points in our presentation.

Definitely! It will help keep the audience engaged.

Yeah, if we emphasize those points, they’ll remember them better.

Exactly! Let’s make sure we practice that part.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Emphasize → It is formed from "em-" (a variant of "en-", meaning to cause to be in) and "phasize" (from Greek "phainesthai", meaning to show or to make known). The word means to cause something to be shown or made known more clearly or forcefully.

Memory Tip

Think of 'showing' something more clearly ('phasize') and 'causing' it to be ('em-') — that's why emphasize means to make something stand out.

Visually Confused Words