enhance
Americanverb (used with object)
-
enhances,
present (3rd person singular)
-
enhanced,
past participle, past
-
enhancing
present participle
verb
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See elevate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
enhancesimple
-
enhancessimple
-
have enhancedperfect
-
has enhancedperfect
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am enhancingprogressive
-
are enhancingprogressive
-
is enhancingprogressive
-
have been enhancingperfect progressive
-
has been enhancingperfect progressive
Past
-
enhancedsimple
-
had enhancedperfect
-
was enhancingprogressive
-
were enhancingprogressive
-
had been enhancingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of enhance
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; see haughty), though -n- is unexplained
Explanation
Many people use the expression "enhance your chance" to point out ways to increase your chances of winning or earning a contest or prize. When you enhance something, you heighten it or make it better. "Hance" is not a word, but the addition of "en-" does something to enhance it and improve its sound. You can enhance the size of something, too, by altering it or raising it, which is what the word original meant (the "hance" part came via French from Latin altus, meaning "high"). When you enhance something you take it to a higher level, like adding salt to French fries to enhance flavor or adding words to enhance your vocabulary.
Vocabulary lists containing enhance
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"From next year onwards, we have planned to enhance our transmission capacity, adding five major transmission network lines."
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
The Orange County Transportation Authority and Metrolink constructed a 200-foot-long wall to allow service to resume and moved ahead with a project to enhance protection along Mariposa Point.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
The production’s novelty: Audience members wear headphones, so we hear Lucas’s voice more intimately, and also the creaks and thumps and eerie noises that enhance the chilling tale.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"Even ordinary weapons now get an AI-based control system to enhance their capabilities," he said.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
"Our aim is to enhance, Your Highness. The first arcana is meant to refine one's natural disposition, or help one develop his or her talents, so that he or she may meet their goals."
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
"When disorder enhances stability, the next challenge is figuring out how best to design it," Motter said.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026
"Diversifying energy supplies, including with abundant US sources, enhances regional stability and prosperity."
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
Kyle Shanahan must believe the olfactory exhilaration of smelling salts enhances his coaching ability.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
“This facility expands our production capacity, strengthens our supply chain, and enhances our ability to serve growing demand in the United States and around the world,” said Stacey Kennedy, chief executive of Philip Morris U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
The police have received no training that enhances the likelihood they will spot the guilty people as they drive by and leave everyone else alone.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Nigerian authorities have announced enhanced screenings for international airport arrivals.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Other countries have issued health alerts, including the UK, which warned its citizens that they may encounter enhanced health screening, and Canada, which has asked citizens to monitor their health for 21 days.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
“We have implemented additional safeguards, including enhanced monitoring, strengthened access controls and further third-party review of our security practices,” Betaneli added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Sorkin’s film highlights the conflict between slow-moving reporting and the light-speed pace of modern culture, a velocity enhanced by the very tech the film has in its crosshairs.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
This work held up over time, and the new discovery in his lab provoked by Bohr’s skepticism ultimately enhanced, not diminished, Lawrence’s claim to the Nobel.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Somalia has also said it was taking precautionary measures, including enhancing surveillance measures at border points "given the evolving regional situation and the movement of people between countries".
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
But supporting public education and enhancing parents’ ability to seek a safe school for their child aren’t mutually exclusive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
A 2026 study from the journal Mental Health and Social Inclusion describes stand-up comedy as a “powerful medium for reframing traumatic experiences, fostering social connectedness and enhancing emotional resilience.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
"Future studies can test whether enhancing this protective pathway can complement existing treatments, identify patients most likely to benefit and lead to new therapeutic approaches for preventing advanced disease."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 3, 2026
"Yeah, they called and offered to help out. Same software they use for enhancing spy satellite imagery."
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
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