augment

American  

[awg-ment, awg-ment] / ɔgˈmɛnt, ˈɔg mɛnt /

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).

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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 British  

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

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noun

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

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of augment

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 )

Explanation

Do you need to make something bigger, better, or stronger? Then you need to augment it. To augment is to increase the amount or strength of something. Maybe your bike isn't getting around very well on hills: the bike needs to be augmented with a better set of tires. People augment their computers and phones all the time, adding new gadgets and apps. They augment the storage space in their cars by buying roof racks. If the President decides to augment taxes, taxes are going up. When you see the word augment, think "More!"

Example Sentences

Other studies have found that AI can augment physicians’ skills — when the doctors have learned to trust their AI tools and when they’re used in relatively uncomplicated, even generic, conditions.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Its ambition isn’t simply to augment human activity—it’s to replicate aspects of it.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The question becomes: How can market participants use this to augment their work?

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

The medical term for my ailment is an asymmetrical gluteal cleft, though requests to fix it are far less common than those to eliminate cellulite, flatten the tummy, or augment the breasts.

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2026

Kendra pressed her hands over her ears, trying to augment the dampening power of the earplugs.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

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