Die woordeboekbetekenis van die woord "beklemtoon" (of "beklemtoon" in Amerikaanse Engels) is om spesiale belangrikheid of prominensie aan iets te gee, om 'n spesifieke punt of idee uit te lig of te beklemtoon, of om iets meer opvallend of betekenisvol te maak. Dit kan ook verwys na om iets kragtiger of duideliker te maak deur bykomende spanning of klem daarop te plaas.
1. He had incredibly broad shoulders and wore a sleeveless tunic that emphasised his muscled arms.
2. This was emphasised by the fact that the snowy mountain-top still held the sunset, and seemed to glow out with a delicate cool pink.
3. Large dark half-moons emphasised her bulging hazel eyes against her pasty skin.