augment

[ verb awg-ment; noun awg-ment ]
/ verb ɔgˈmɛnt; noun ˈɔg mɛnt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR augment ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase: His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.
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.
Grammar. to add an augment to.
Heraldry. to grant an augmentation to (a coat of arms).

verb (used without object)

to become larger.

noun

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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of augment

1375–1425; late Middle English au(g)menten < Anglo-French, Middle French au(g)menter < Late Latin augmentāre to increase, derivative of augmentum an increase (aug(ēre) to increase (akin to eke1) + -mentum -ment) + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive ending

SYNONYMS FOR augment

1 swell. See increase.
5 increase.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR augment ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM augment

aug·ment·a·ble, adjectiveun·aug·ment·a·ble, adjectiveun·aug·ment·ed, adjective

Words nearby augment

auger-eyed, aught, aughtlins, augier, augite, augment, augmentation, augmentation mammaplasty, augmentative, augmented, augmented cognition
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to augmenting

develop, strengthen, intensify, enlarge, multiply, reinforce, heighten, enhance, inflate, boost, expand, amplify, raise, extend, swell, magnify, mount, increase, sweeten, pad

Example sentences from the Web for augmenting

British Dictionary definitions for augmenting

augment

verb (ɔːɡˈmɛnt)

to make or become greater in number, amount, strength, etc; increase
(tr) music to increase (a major or perfect interval) by a semitoneCompare diminish (def. 3)
(tr) (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) to prefix a vowel or diphthong to (a verb) to form a past tense

noun (ˈɔːɡmɛnt)

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

Derived forms of augment

augmentable, adjectiveaugmentor or augmenter, noun

Word Origin for augment

C15: from Late Latin augmentāre to increase, from augmentum growth, from Latin augēre to increase
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012