augment

[awg-ment, awg-ment]

verb (used with object)

1. to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase.

   His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.

   Synonyms: swell

2. Music.

   1. to raise (the upper note of an interval or chord) by a half step.

   2. to double the note values of (a theme).

      In the fugue's development the subject is augmented.

3. Grammar.,  to add an augment to.

4. Heraldry.,  to grant an augmentation to (a coat of arms).

verb (used without object)

1. to become larger.

   Synonyms: increase

noun

1. Grammar.,  a prefixed vowel or a lengthening of the initial vowel that characterizes certain forms in the nonpresent inflection of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, Armenian, and Phrygian.

augment

verb

1. to make or become greater in number, amount, strength, etc; increase

2. (tr) music to increase (a major or perfect interval) by a semitone Compare diminish

3. (tr) (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) to prefix a vowel or diphthong to (a verb) to form a past tense

noun

1. (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) a vowel or diphthong prefixed to a verb to form a past tense

Other Word Forms

• augmentable adjective
• unaugmentable adjective
• unaugmented adjective
• augmentor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

First recorded in 1375–1475; late Middle English au(g)menten, from Anglo-French, Middle French au(g)menter, from Late Latin augmentāre “to increase,” derivative of augmentum “an increase,” from aug(ēre) “to increase” (akin to eke ¹ ) + -mentum -ment )

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

C15: from Late Latin augmentāre to increase, from augmentum growth, from Latin augēre to increase

Example Sentences

Culture matters, but its highest purpose is to augment human potential.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Reality Labs -- Meta's virtual and augmented reality unit -- has consistently posted big losses.

Read more on Barron's

Staff in the city attorney’s office would also be augmented to boost the ability to prosecute misdemeanor cases.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Be able to prove to your employer or job interviewers that you’ve been using AI to augment your job skills.

Read more on MarketWatch

For Amazon, the Amelia smart glasses could augment efficiency in the "last mile" of its delivery network.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• amplify 
• boost 
• build up 
• develop 
• enhance 
• enlarge 
• expand 
• heighten 
• inflate 
• intensify 
• multiply 
• reinforce 
• strengthen 

When To Use

What does augment mean?

To augment something is to add to it in a way that makes it bigger or better.The general sense of augment is used in a variety of contexts where something is literally or figuratively increased in size, number, shape, value, or in some other way.A person might augment their salary with an additional source of income. A material like metal might be augmented to make it stronger. A teacher might augment a course’s textbook with additional learning materials.The noun augmentation refers to the process of augmenting something or the thing that augments. Things that augment or things that are intended to augment can be described as augmentative.A machine or device can be described as augmentable when other parts can be added to it to improve it in some way or give it additional functionality.Augment is also used in much more specific ways in the context of music and grammar, but its general sense is much more commonly used.Example: We recently augmented our nonfiction collection with many new titles by authors from marginalized communities.