Basic Details
Word: Emphatic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Said or done firmly and clearly, leaving no doubt; also, of a win, very clear and one-sided.
Synonyms: forceful, firm, definite, decisive
Antonyms: hesitant, tentative, uncertain
How to Spell Emphatic
Syllables: em - phat - ic
Tricky part: The f sound is spelt ph, and there is a single t followed by ic. Emfatic and emphattic are common slips.
Watch out for: emfatic, emphatik, emphetic, emphattic
Memory tip: It sounds like em-FAT-ic, but the fat is spelt phat: em + phat + ic.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Her emphatic warning about the slippery steps saved Grandpa from a fall.
Example 2: India won the final by an emphatic margin of nine wickets.
Example 3: She gave an emphatic nod to show she agreed.
Fun Fact
In grammar, do can be emphatic: in 'I do like it', the extra do adds force to the sentence without changing its meaning.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to emphatic as used in the sentence:
The captain's emphatic reply left no doubt that the team would not give up.
a) hesitant
b) firm
c) forceful
d) definite
Show answer
a) hesitant. An emphatic reply is firm and clear; a hesitant one is unsure.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Mr Joshi gave an ahicmtep 'no' when asked if the test would be postponed.
a) pathetic
b) emphatic
c) emphasis
d) empathy
Show answer
b) emphatic. A firm, clear no is an emphatic one; emphasis needs an s, empathy a y, and pathetic two t's and no m.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
After weeks of debate, the residents' association gave an emphattic answer to the builder's plan and voted to keep the playground open for the children of the colony.
a) emphattic
b) residents
c) association
d) playground
Show answer
a) emphattic. The word has a single t, the same as dramatic.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An emphatic victory is ____.
a) delayed by rain
b) close and tense
c) narrow and lucky
d) clear and one-sided
Show answer
d) clear and one-sided
2. Which reply is the most emphatic?
a) Maybe, I am not sure.
b) Absolutely not, never.
c) Perhaps, some other day.
d) I might think about it.
Show answer
b) Absolutely not, never.
