enhance
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See elevate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
enhancesimple
-
enhancessimple
-
have enhancedperfect
-
has enhancedperfect
-
am enhancingprogressive
-
are enhancingprogressive
-
is enhancingprogressive
-
have been enhancingperfect progressive
-
has been enhancingperfect progressive
Past
-
enhancedsimple
-
had enhancedperfect
-
was enhancingprogressive
-
were enhancingprogressive
-
had been enhancingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of enhance
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; see haughty), though -n- is unexplained
Explanation
Many people use the expression "enhance your chance" to point out ways to increase your chances of winning or earning a contest or prize. When you enhance something, you heighten it or make it better. "Hance" is not a word, but the addition of "en-" does something to enhance it and improve its sound. You can enhance the size of something, too, by altering it or raising it, which is what the word original meant (the "hance" part came via French from Latin altus, meaning "high"). When you enhance something you take it to a higher level, like adding salt to French fries to enhance flavor or adding words to enhance your vocabulary.
Vocabulary lists containing enhance
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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List 10
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Tears of a Tiger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
However, celebrant Zadie Ward told the BBC the changes could enhance the meaning of a wedding for many couples.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Creating a proton shuttle could enhance the process, while removing the shuttle could reduce or prevent it.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
He praised the official -- known for trying to enhance Ukraine's drone technology -- for trying to ensure that "fewer soldiers die and that drones fight in their place".
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
The group plans to expand the franchise, create new products and enhance the brand’s presence across restaurants and retail, according to a news release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
She explained that there is a way to enhance a tape, but it has to be sent away to a lab to do it.
From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg
When it comes to AI, it would be smart to show that it enhances your problem-solving abilities.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
The findings, based on experiments in mice and human cells, build on previous research from the same laboratory showing that creatine also enhances the function of cancer-fighting T cells.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026
"Our aim is to explain all elements of royal finances in a way that further enhances clarity and accessibility," said a Palace spokesman.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
Cruz explained that “Queer Roast” enhances the art landscape in L.A. by representing an instance of someone taking a leap of faith to make something new with the local comedy scene.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
The police have received no training that enhances the likelihood they will spot the guilty people as they drive by and leave everyone else alone.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
It triggers enhanced monitoring and checks of waterways and important sites for wildlife as well as advice for farmers and others who use water from rivers.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Alaska also plans to replace Hawaiian Airlines’s retiring Boeing 717 fleet with Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with an enhanced onboard experience and Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Beyond making us laugh, Neill’s wit was one of those special traits that enhanced all the other aspects that made him so lovable as both an actor and a person.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
"Our results suggest that enhanced burial of organic carbon in marine sediments played a much more important role than was previously appreciated."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026
This work held up over time, and the new discovery in his lab provoked by Bohr’s skepticism ultimately enhanced, not diminished, Lawrence’s claim to the Nobel.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Researchers compared telmisartan with other ARBs and found that its cancer enhancing effects were unique within the class.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026
The Chinese company on Wednesday separately said it is enhancing its partnership with pharma major GSK by obtaining commercialization rights for two GSK respiratory drugs—Trelegy Ellipta and Anoro Ellipta—in mainland China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
At almost every stage of childhood development, he notes, programs aimed at preserving or enhancing children’s health have gone on the chopping block.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
While supplements can play a vital role in enhancing our wellbeing when needed, some experts are warning we have become so eager to optimise our health, we are now at risk of endangering it.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
She knew that these classes were enhancing her students’ reading levels, their understanding of the world, their souls.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
