definitions

enhance

[ en-hans, -hahns ]
/ ɛnˈhæns, -ˈhɑns /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enhance ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·hanced, en·hanc·ing.

to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify: The candlelight enhanced her beauty.
to raise the value or price of: Rarity enhances the worth of old coins.

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RELATED WORDS

upgrade, raise, augment, strengthen, intensify, complement, appreciate, enlarge, increase, reinforce, heighten, boost, aggrandize, pyramid, magnify, exalt, swell, exaggerate, elevate, beautify

Nearby words

engrossed bill, engrossing, engrossment, engulf, enhalo, enhance, enhanced oil recovery, enhanced radiation weapon, enhancer, enharmonic, enharmonic modulation

Origin of enhance

1325–75; Middle English enhauncen < 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- < Germanic; see haughty), though -n- is unexplained

Related forms

en·hance·ment, nounen·hanc·ive, adjectiveself-en·hance·ment, nounun·en·hanced, adjective

Synonym study

2. See elevate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enhance

British Dictionary definitions for enhance

enhance

/ (ɪnˈhɑːns) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

enhancement, nounenhancer, nounenhancive, adjective

Word Origin for enhance

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