1. Pronunciation: This is the most common meaning. An accent refers to a distinctive way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region, country, or social group. It's about how sounds are pronounced, the rhythm and intonation of speech, and the use of specific vocabulary or expressions.
Example: "She has a strong Southern accent."
2. Emphasis: In this sense, an accent refers to the stress or emphasis placed on a particular syllable or word in a sentence. This helps to highlight certain parts of the utterance and convey meaning.
Example: "I really need to finish this project today." (Emphasis on "finish")
3. Mark: In writing, an accent can refer to a diacritical mark placed above or below a letter to indicate a specific pronunciation. For example, the acute accent in "café" indicates that the "e" is pronounced.
Example: "The word "résumé" has an accent over the "e". "
4. Decoration: In some cases, "accent" can be used to refer to a decorative feature or detail that adds emphasis or interest to something.
Example: "The room was decorated with floral accents."
So, the meaning of "accent" depends on the context. It can be about how we speak, how we emphasize words, or even how we decorate a room.