enhance

[en-hans, -hahns]

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.

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

Synonym study

2. See elevate.

Antonyms for enhance

1. diminish. 2. reduce.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for enhance

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

Examples from the Web for enhance

Contemporary Examples of enhance

To ensure that all Afghan women see the gains of the last decade, we need to understand, support and enhance existing systems.
We’re Not Done in Afghanistan
Kimberley Motley
December 5, 2014
Those threats also led security officials to enhance certain security measures last summer.
U.S. Clams Up on Xmas Airline Bomb ‘Plot’
Shane Harris
December 2, 2014
First, Congress needs to enhance and expand immunities for responsible whistleblowers.
George W. Bush’s Puzzling WMD Coverup
Rick Santorum, Pete Hoekstra
October 27, 2014
For years, Mooney has trained with a rowing coach to enhance his physical endurance for the potentially yearlong journey.
Victor Mooney’s Epic Adventure for His Dead Brother
Justin Jones
October 19, 2014
This is exciting because it seems that this turmeric compound can enhance the characteristics of NSCs.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?
Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD
October 10, 2014

Historical Examples of enhance

But to be constant in a virtue is not to enhance its quality.
The Lyric
John Drinkwater
At any rate, he scours the wide world to find what may enhance the value of his soul's delight.
The Symposium
Xenophon
Cork is the Isle of Saints—with a port and a garrison to enhance its sanctity.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
Universities must enhance the use, the joy, the worth of existence.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
If anything could enhance the pleasure of this piece of fortune, it is this fact.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for enhance

enhance

verb

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

Derived Formsenhancement, 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

Word Origin and History for enhance

late 13c., anhaunsen "to raise, make higher," from Anglo-French enhauncer, probably from Old French enhaucier "make greater, make higher or louder; fatten, foster; raise in esteem," from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Late Latin inaltare "raise, exalt," from altare "make high," from altus "high" (see old).

Meaning "raise in station, wealth, or fame" attested in English from c.1300. The -h- in Old French supposedly from influence of Frankish *hoh "high." Related: Enhanced; enhancing.