elevate

[ verb el-uh-veyt; adjective el-uh-veyt, -vit ]

verb (used with object)

, el·e·vat·ed, el·e·vat·ing.

1. to move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up.

   Synonyms: hoist, lift

2. to raise to a higher state, rank, or office; exalt; promote:

   to elevate an archbishop to cardinal.

   Synonyms: dignify, upgrade, advance

3. to raise to a higher intellectual or spiritual level:

   Good poetry may elevate the mind.

4. to raise the spirits; put in high spirits.
5. to raise (the voice) in pitch or volume.

adjective

1. Archaic. raised; elevated.

elevate

/ ˈɛlɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to move to a higher place
2. to raise in rank or status; promote
3. to put in a cheerful mood; elate
4. to put on a higher cultural plane; uplift

   to elevate the tone of a conversation

5. to raise the axis of a gun
6. to raise the intensity or pitch of (the voice)
7. RC Church to lift up (the Host) at Mass for adoration

Derived Forms

• ˌeleˈvatory, adjective

Other Words From

• non·ele·vating adjective
• re·ele·vate verb (used with object) reelevated reelevating

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevate¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin ēlevātus “lightened, lifted up,” past participle of ēlevāre “to lift up,” from ē- e- ¹ + levāre “to lighten, lift”; relieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevate¹

C15: from Latin ēlevāre from levāre to raise, from levis (adj) light

Synonym Study

Elevate, enhance, exalt, heighten mean to raise or make higher in some respect. To elevate is to raise something up to a higher level, position, or state: to elevate the living standards of a group. To enhance is to add to the attractions or desirability of something: Landscaping enhances the beauty of the grounds. To exalt is to raise very high in rank, character, estimation, mood, etc.: A king is exalted above his subjects. To heighten is to increase the strength or intensity: to heighten one's powers of concentration.

Example Sentences

“To become a household name you still need to tell a bigger story through a video ad,” said Allen Adamson, brand consultant and co-founder of Metaforce, adding that the shift toward offline channels could help “elevate” the brand.

From Digiday

Before this, Beyonce had elevated Lafalaise’s artistry by dawning a cowrie shell face mask called Lagbaja in her “Spirit” music video.

From Essence.com

In short, SEO is a sustainable way to elevate your online presence and raise brand awareness.

From Search Engine Watch

Göbekli Tepe epitomizes two important changes that seem to have happened in parallel around 12,000 years ago, both of which involve societies beginning to separate themselves from, and elevate themselves above, nature.

From Nautilus

On the upside, China’s stimulus to revive its economy is fueling demand for Australian commodity prices, keeping the terms of trade elevated in the second quarter.

From Fortune

It needs to voice and elevate an idea of democratic citizenship strong enough to block the growth of money in politics.

From The Daily Beast

“Suddenly there was a trend to elevate comfort food,” continues Hanna-Korpi.

From The Daily Beast

Some research suggests use can elevate the risk of psychosis in people already at risk.

From The Daily Beast

It was one of the very few realms in India to elevate a woman to the throne.

From The Daily Beast

We should educate people about what business does in its core activity to elevate people out of poverty.

From The Daily Beast

The gunner's seat moved with the carriage, from which he could elevate or depress the muzzle by a lever.

From Project Gutenberg

The highest themes which can elevate or engross the mind of man claimed her profound and delighted reveries.

From Project Gutenberg

This slight acquaintance with the nobility of France did not, however, elevate them in her esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

Shakespeare, Sheridan, Bulwer,—but I cannot go through the list of fine dramatic writers whose works elevate the mind and taste.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a subsidised theatre at Lisbon, but it does little to elevate the dramatic art elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appoint
• boost
• build up
• enhance
• heighten
• intensify
• prefer
• upgrade

More About Elevate

What does elevate mean?

To elevate something is to move it to a higher position or to lift it up, as in The mechanic elevated the car on a lift so she could work underneath it.

Literally, to elevate means to move something to a higher plane. This is normally used in reference to machines or vehicles made to raise something or to lift up something like a ceiling or shelf.

Elevate is more commonly used figuratively, meaning to go up in status, value, office, or something else that is measured from low to high. For example, if you become captain of your basketball team, you are elevated to the role of captain.

Elevate also means to move feelings from negative to positive or to increase the positivity of feelings. If you’re feeling sad, you might try to elevate your feelings to happiness by taking a hike or going out with friends.

Example: I will be elevated to the rank of vice president by the end of the year.

Where does elevate come from?

The first records of the term elevate come from around the 1490s. It comes from the Latin ēlevātus meaning “lightened” or “lifted up.”

Elevate is often used in philosophical or spiritual discussions, even casual conversations. In these situations, elevate is often used as a synonym for transcend and is a major part of several mindfulness or meditative philosophies that deal with ignoring or accepting physical worries and becoming relaxed or more calm as a result.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to elevate?

• elevated (verb, adjective)
• reelevate (verb)
• nonelevating (adjective)
• elevator (noun)

What are some synonyms for elevate?

• uplift
• appoint
• promote
• refine
• boost

What are some words that share a root or word element with elevate?

• elevator
• elevation
• elevated

What are some words that often get used in discussing elevate?

• altitude
• building
• mood
• position

How is elevate used in real life?

Elevate can be used literally or figuratively to mean to lift up.

Elevate
Make Money
Give Back

— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) June 5, 2019

the human says. there are two options.. inside or outside. but if they would. elevate their mindset. they would uncover. a third option: stand. in the doorway. and sniff the air

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) December 7, 2017

Don't be afraid to elevate your mind and do things better than you did before. #LaughNowFlyLater

— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) October 19, 2017

 

Try using elevate!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for elevate?

A. raise
B. fall
C. heighten
D. uplift