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

Drivers are unwilling to drive on interstate highways out of fear of losing their livelihoods due to enhanced checks.

From Los Angeles Times

The demons in “Demon Slayer,” also known as oni, are nearly immortal creatures with various enhanced abilities such as increased strength and advanced healing.

From Los Angeles Times

These include enhanced sentences where a hate motivation to offending is proven.

From BBC

Those attending the game have been advised to arrive early and budget extra time to get through long queues that are expected to form due to what stadium officials described as "enhanced security measures".

From BBC

“Anything we enhance the shows with, we actually played,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

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.