Emphasise means to stress the importance of something, to define a portion of an idea or narrative as having greater value than other portions of the idea or narrative. Emphasise may also mean to accentuate a certain portion. Emphasise is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Emphasise is the British spelling, related forms are emphasises, emphasised and emphasising. Emphasis is the noun form.
Emphasize is the preferred American spelling. Related words are emphasizes, emphasized and emphasizing. Emphasis is the noun form. The American spelling is gaining acceptance around the world. Emphasise and emphasize are examples of a group of words that are spelled with a “z” in American English and with an “s” in British English. Emphasize is borrowed from the Latin an emphasis, meaning appearance, show.
Examples
FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has appealed to global health leaders to emphasise the importance of women’s health. (The Zambia Daily Mail)
LET me emphasise that never have I hidden my utmost respect for Tony Abbott as both a person and a prime minister, nor will I now. (The News Mail)
“It is one of the few terms that people remember from history classes that does not involve hard power . . . and it’s precisely those positive associations that the Chinese want to emphasise,” says Valerie Hansen, professor of Chinese history at Yale University. (The Financial Times)
Lenexa business owners emphasize healthy food choices, and being green (The Kansas City STar)
“We need to de-emphasize race. And we need to emphasize respect,” Carson told reporters after the private tour with the mayor and a discussion with community leaders. (The New Pittsburgh Courier)
“When I got here, I was ready to go,” she said, snapping her fingers to emphasize her hurried pace. ” (The Chicago Tribune)