DictionaryaccentDistinctive pronunciation
noun

accent

AK-sent/ˈæksent/

A way of pronouncing words characteristic of a region or group.

Their different accents reveal distinct regional ways of pronouncing words.

Two adults from different regions, a Black woman and white man, converse face to face with distinct simple speech-wave patterns, pronunciation variation no written words.
Etymology

The pieces give the image of “song added to speech,” highlighting speech’s melodic qualities. The word came to name a distinctive way of pronouncing a language.

In context

Olly Richards1:14
when my accent gets real heavy like it is right now it that's that's sort of my natural um unguarded way of talking
9 Difficult Texas Accents You WON'T Understand

More examples

  • He recognizes the speaker's regional accent.
  • The actors practice several accents for the play.
  • She speaks fluent English with a slight Spanish accent.

Forms

accent · accents

Similar words

dialect
Includes grammar and vocabulary as well as pronunciation.
pronunciation
Describes how words are said without implying a regional pattern.