accentuation
n. uncountablen. the act of making a sound, word, or note stronger or more important. In music, it means playing a note with more force to show it is the most important part of the phrase.
n. the act of emphasizing or intensifying a sound, word, or musical note. In a musical context, it refers to the performance of a note with increased volume or force to highlight its rhythmic or melodic significance.
The drummer used accentuation to make the beat more exciting.
The composer used rhythmic accentuation to create a sense of urgency in the final movement of the symphony.
While the melody remains simple, the subtle accentuation of the off-beats provides a complex rhythmic foundation that drives the entire performance forward.
From Late Latin accentuatio. Compare French accentuation. Equivalent to accentuate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 4, 2026