enhance

[en-hans, -hahns]

verb (used with object)

enhanced, enhancing 

1. to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify.

   The candlelight enhanced her beauty.

   Antonyms: lessen, diminish

2. to raise the value or price of.

   Rarity enhances the worth of old coins.

   Antonyms: reduce

enhance

/ ɪnˈhɑːns /

verb

1. (tr) to intensify or increase in quality, value, power, etc; improve; augment

Other Word Forms

• enhancement noun
• enhancive adjective
• unenhanced adjective
• enhancer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enhance¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English enhauncen, from Anglo-French enhauncer, apparently for Old French enhaucer, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + haucer “to raise” ( French hausser ) from the unattested Vulgar Latin altiāre (derivative of Latin altus “high,” with h-, from Germanic; haughty ), though -n- is unexplained

Word History and Origins

Origin of enhance¹

C14: from Old French enhaucier, from _en- ¹ + haucier to raise, from Vulgar Latin altiāre (unattested), from Latin altus high

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

Increasing physical activity, when done safely, can enhance heart performance and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Read more on Science Daily

"Foreign expert operators would increase the foreign investment and enhance the efficiency," Chattogram Port Authority chairman S. M. Moniruzzaman told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

The move, with the NBA working in cooperation with the National Basketball Referees Association, launches a two-phase process which is aimed at improving game flow and enhancing officiating accuracy.

Read more on Barron's

Farmers know how to deal with them through experience, adaptability, technologies from precision agriculture to enhanced seeds and crop-protection products, stoic acceptance, and risk-management tools such as crop insurance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The enhanced subsidies save members about $2.5 billion a year overall in out-of-pocket premium expenses, according to the exchange.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• appreciate 
• augment 
• boost 
• build up 
• complement 
• enlarge 
• heighten 
• increase 
• intensify 
• raise 
• reinforce 
• strengthen 
• upgrade 

When To Use

What does enhance mean?

To enhance is to raise to a higher degree, such as to magnify or intensify something. To enhance a photo, for example, is to improve the colors, lighting, or other characteristics in order to improve the photo.Generally speaking, enhancing somehow makes something better. Something that is enhanced has its intensity, value, or size increased.To enhance is also to increase the value or price of something. A tie might not be very valued just for being a tie, for example. But if that tie was worn by someone famous, the tie’s value is enhanced because that celebrity wore it.Example: Salt is commonly added to dishes to enhance their flavor.