Accent vs. Stress: What's the Difference?

(linguistics) A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.

Importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something.

The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone.

The relative force with which a sound or syllable is spoken.

Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or phrase.

The emphasis placed on the sound or syllable spoken most forcefully in a word or phrase.

One determined by the regional or social background of the speaker.

The relative force of sound or emphasis given a syllable or word in accordance with a metrical pattern.

One determined by the phonetic characteristics of the speaker's native language carried over to that speaker's use of another language.

A syllable having strong relative emphasis in a metrical pattern.

A mark or symbol used in the printing and writing of certain languages to indicate the vocal quality to be given to a particular letter

An accent or mark representing such emphasis or force.

A mark or symbol used in printing and writing to indicate the stressed syllables of a spoken word.

The internal distribution of force per unit area within a body subject to an applied force or system of forces.

Rhythmically significant stress in a line of verse.

The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces.

Emphasis or prominence given to a note or chord, as by an increase in volume or extended duration.

A condition of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain

A mark representing this.

A condition of physiological or psychological disturbance to the normal functioning or well-being of an organism, occurring as a response to any of various environmental or psychosocial stimuli. Signs and symptoms of stress in humans include increased blood pressure, insomnia, and irritability.

A mark used as a superscript to distinguish among variables represented by the same symbol.

A stimulus or circumstance causing such a condition

A mark used as a superscript to indicate the first derivative of a variable.

To place emphasis on

A mark or one of several marks used as a superscript to indicate a unit, such as feet (′) and inches (") in linear measurement.

To give prominence of sound to (a syllable or word) in pronouncing or in accordance with a metrical pattern.

A distinctive feature or quality, such as a feature that accentuates, contrasts with, or complements a decorative style.

(Informal) To subject to physiological or mental stress or strain. Often used with out

Something that accentuates or contrasts something else, as a touch of color that makes the features of an image stand out.

To subject to mechanical pressure or force.

Particular importance or interest; emphasis

To undergo physiological or mental stress, as from working too much. Often used with out.

To stress or emphasize the pronunciation of

(biology) A physical, chemical, infective agent aggressing an organism.

To mark with a printed accent.

(biology) Aggression toward an organism resulting in a response in an attempt to restore previous conditions.

To focus attention on; accentuate

The internal distribution of force across a small boundary per unit area of that boundary (pressure) within a body. It causes strain or deformation and is typically symbolised by σ or τ.

(figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.

Force externally applied to a body which cause internal stress within the body.

(orthography) A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.

(uncountable) Emotional pressure suffered by a human being or other animal.

Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.

A suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound, word or word group by means of of loudness, duration or pitch; phonological prominence.

The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.

The suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound by means of of loudness and/or duration; phonological prominence phonetically achieved by means of dynamics as distinct from pitch.

A manner of pronunciation suggesting that the speaker is from a different region; a foreign accent.

(uncountable) Emphasis placed on a particular point in an argument or discussion (whether spoken or written).

(sign languages) A distinctive manner of producing a sign language, such as someone who does not normally use a certain sign language might have when using it.

Obsolete form of distress

A word; a significant tone or sound.

Distress; the act of distraining; also, the thing distrained.

Expressions in general; speech.

(transitive) To apply force to (a body or structure) causing strain.

Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

(transitive) To apply emotional pressure to (a person or animal).

(music) A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.

To suffer stress; to worry or be agitated.

(music) A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.

(transitive) To emphasise (a syllable of a word).

(music) A mark used to represent this special emphasis.The third and fourth symbols are accents (marks used to represent special emphasis in music).

(transitive) To emphasise (words in speaking).

(music) The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.

(transitive) To emphasise (a point) in an argument or discussion.

(mathematics) A prime symbol.

Distress.

Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings.

Pressure, strain; - used chiefly of immaterial things; except in mechanics; hence, urgency; importance; weight; significance.

A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.

The force, or combination of forces, which produces a strain; force exerted in any direction or manner between contiguous bodies, or parts of bodies, and taking specific names according to its direction, or mode of action, as thrust or pressure, pull or tension, shear or tangential stress.

(archaic) Utterance.

Force of utterance expended upon words or syllables. Stress is in English the chief element in accent and is one of the most important in emphasis. See Guide to pronunciation, 31-35.

(transitive) To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.

Distress; the act of distraining; also, the thing distrained.

(transitive) To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.

To press; to urge; to distress; to put to difficulties.

(transitive) To mark with written accents.

To subject to stress, pressure, or strain.

A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.

To subject to phonetic stress; to accent.

A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.

To place emphasis on; to make emphatic; emphasize.

Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent.

The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);

A word; a significant tone

(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;

Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

(physics) force that produces strain on a physical body;

A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.

Special emphasis attached to something;

A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y´, y.

Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension;

To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to utter or to mark with accent.

To stress, single out as important;

To mark emphatically; to emphasize.

Put stress on; utter with an accent;

Distinctive manner of oral expression;

Test the limits of;

Special importance or significance;

The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people;

The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);

A diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation

To stress, single out as important;

Put stress on; utter with an accent;