enhance

[en-hans, -hahns]

verb (used with object)

enhanced, enhancing 

1. to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify.

   The candlelight enhanced her beauty.

   Antonyms: lessen, diminish

2. to raise the value or price of.

   Rarity enhances the worth of old coins.

   Antonyms: reduce

enhance

/ ɪnˈhɑːns /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• enhancement noun
• enhancer noun
• enhancive adjective
• unenhanced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enhance¹

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; haughty ), though -n- is unexplained

Word History and Origins

Origin of enhance¹

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

Synonym Study

See elevate.

Example Sentences

His government has also resisted calls from the Conservatives to put China on the enhanced tier of the so-called Foreign Influence Registration Scheme alongside Iran and Russia.

Read more on Barron's

Frontiers FAIR² also enhances visibility and accessibility, supporting responsible reuse by scientists, policymakers, practitioners, communities, and even AI systems, allowing society to extract greater value from its investment in science.

Read more on Science Daily

"Reviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances," a joint statement said.

Read more on BBC

The rise in crypto prices, part of a wider market recovery, typically benefits trading platforms through increased transaction fees and enhances the value of Bitcoin holdings.

Read more on Barron's

The ketogenic diet has been shown to induce a variety of biological changes, such as enhancing mitochondrial efficiency and changing hormone balance.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• add to www.thesaurus.com
• appreciate 
• augment 
• boost 
• build up 
• complement 
• enlarge 
• heighten 
• increase 
• intensify 
• raise 
• reinforce 
• strengthen 
• upgrade 

When To Use

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.