

This is the accent icon.
A syllable that is stressed in pronunciation is accented.
A stressed, or accented, syllable may be said slightly louder or with a higher pitch than other syllables in the word.
Typically, a vowel in an accented syllable is said fully; and, in unaccented syllables, the vowel is less emphasized and may change to a schwa sound.
In English, it is helpful to figure out the base or root to find the accented syllable.
2 Syllables
In two-syllable words, the accent is typically on the first syllable if it is a root. If the first syllable is a prefix instead, then the accent may be on the second syllable, or root.
3 Syllables
In three-syllable base words, the accent is typically on the first syllable when it is a root, as in “character”.
If the three-syllable word has a prefix and suffix, the accent is typically on the root, or middle syllable, as in “unthankful”.
4 Syllables
In four-syllable words, the accent is typically on the second syllable, as in “departmental”.
Accent Changes
Some words can change meaning when the accent changes.
When the accent is on the first syllable that is a prefix, it is typically the noun form. For example, P-R-E-S-E-N-T with an accent on the first syllable is “present”, which is a gift or moment.
With the accent on the second syllable that is the root, it is typically the verb form, as in “present”, which is to introduce.
More Accents
Some words with more than two syllables can have primary and secondary accents.

pre´ | sent (n.)

pre | sent´ (v.)

char´ | ac | ter

un | thank´ | ful

de | part´ | ment | al