1
: an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables
also
: the stress thus given a syllable
a word with the accent on the second syllable
2
: a distinctive manner of expression: such as
a
: a way of speaking typical of a particular group of people and especially of the natives or residents of a region
spoke with a Russian accent
b
: an individual's distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words
—usually used in plural
3
: rhythmically significant stress on the syllables of a verse usually at regular intervals
4
a
: a mark (such as ´, `, ˆ) used in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress, or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled, or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced
b
: an accented letter
5
6
a
: emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition
b
: an emphasized detail or area
especially
: a small detail in sharp contrast with its surroundings
c
: a substance or object used for emphasis
a plant used as a decorative accent
7
: a mark placed to the right of a letter or number and usually slightly above it: such as
a
: a double prime
b
: prime
8
: special concern or attention : emphasis
an accent on youth
9
archaic
: utterance entry 1
accented; accenting; accents
1
: to give special attention or prominence to (something)
TV shows that accent youth
: to make (something) more emphatic, noticeable, or distinct
columns that accent the vertical lines of the building
2
a
: to pronounce (part of a word) with greater stress or force : stress
Accent the second syllable of the word "before."
b
: to mark with a written or printed accent
Examples of accent in a Sentence
Noun
Regional accents are common in the U.S.
She spoke with an American accent.
The tourist had a foreign accent.
He has a heavy southern accent.
The word “before” has the accent on the last syllable.
Put the accent on the first syllable of the word.
The accents in the French word “émigré” show how the letter “e” should be pronounced.
Verb
the town's promotional literature accents its vital role in American history
Recent Examples on the Web
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
My convertible flashed Fuoriserie’s magenta body accents, embedded with blue mica, that elevated the Cielo’s style like Harry Winston jewelry at the Met Gala.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The ethereal look involved a dazzling asymmetrical gold corset that flaunted Kardashian's curves, accented with white details, including a tulle skirt with gold embellishments.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accent
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Noun
The Oklahoma native's signature is his thick accent and his straight talk.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
My convertible flashed Fuoriserie’s magenta body accents, embedded with blue mica, that elevated the Cielo’s style like Harry Winston jewelry at the Met Gala.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The businesswoman accented the look with Dior’s python Saddle bag, which added some intrigue to the neutral outfit.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The ethereal look involved a dazzling asymmetrical gold corset that flaunted Kardashian's curves, accented with white details, including a tulle skirt with gold embellishments.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accent
Cite this Entry
“Accent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
accent
1 of 2 noun
ac·cent
ˈak-ˌsent 
1
: a way of talking shared by a group (as the people of a country)
2
: greater stress or force given to a syllable of a word in speaking
before has the accent on the last syllable
3
: a mark (as ´, `, or ˆ accents) identifying a syllable that is stressed in speaking
4
: greater stress given to a beat in music
5
: an emphasized detail used for contrast
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