Cool MateHighlight vs To accentuate it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Highlight
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
To accentuate it
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Highlight
| Highlight | To accentuate it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhaɪlaɪt/","/ˈhaɪlaɪts/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪd/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhaɪlaɪt/","/ˈhaɪlaɪts/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪd/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əkˈsɛnʧueɪt//🇺🇸 //ækˈsɛnʧueɪt// |
| Meaning | To make something stand out or more important. | To make something more noticeable or stronger. |
| Example | The teacher asked us to highlight the important points in the text. | The lighting was designed to accentuate it beautifully. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | clearly, dramatically, graphically, serve to | accentuate differences, accentuate features, accentuate qualities, accentuate colors, accentuate design |
| Antonyms | diminish, ignore, downplay | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'understate' — often used in opposite contexts., Misused as a noun — some learners may incorrectly use it as 'the highlight of my life'., Saying 'highlighting of' instead of 'highlighting'. | Confused with 'accent' - remember 'accentuate' is a verb., Omitting the object - always needs something to emphasize., Using inappropriately in casual conversations. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts like presentations and studies. Generally avoids overly casual settings. In formal writing, use sparingly to maintain tone. | Use 'accentuate' in formal contexts, especially in writing or presentations. Avoid informal speech and casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Highlight vs To accentuate it
What's the difference between Highlight and To accentuate it?
Highlight: To make something stand out or more important. To accentuate it: To make something more noticeable or stronger.
Which is more common: Highlight and To accentuate it?
Highlight is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Highlight: The teacher asked us to highlight the important points in the text. To accentuate it: The lighting was designed to accentuate it beautifully.
Can I use Highlight and To accentuate it interchangeably?
Not always. Highlight and To accentuate it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.