enhance

[ en-hans, -hahns ]

verb (used with object)

, en·hanced, en·hanc·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• enˈhancement, noun
• enˈhancive, adjective
• enˈhancer, noun

Other Words From

• en·hance·ment noun
• en·hanc·ive adjective
• un·en·hanced 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

On Wednesday, it said it will have medical protocols that include daily coronavirus testing and enhanced cardiac screening.

From Washington Post

When done, you will be transported to your Google My Business dashboard, where you will find many additional ways to enhance your listing.

From Search Engine Land

Now, it plans to grow revenue between 9% and 11% this year, thanks to enhancing its subscription platform, Politico Pro Intelligence.

From Digiday

The decision to go with wider, squatter screens enhances productivity, as apps have more room to spread out and show more information.

From Fortune

Goldman Sachs projects the next stimulus bill will include $400 per week in enhanced unemployment benefits, additional small-business aid, and “modest” state fiscal aid.

From Fortune

To ensure that all Afghan women see the gains of the last decade, we need to understand, support and enhance existing systems.

From The Daily Beast

Those threats also led security officials to enhance certain security measures last summer.

From The Daily Beast

First, Congress needs to enhance and expand immunities for responsible whistleblowers.

From The Daily Beast

For years, Mooney has trained with a rowing coach to enhance his physical endurance for the potentially yearlong journey.

From The Daily Beast

This is exciting because it seems that this turmeric compound can enhance the characteristics of NSCs.

From The Daily Beast

Wages acquire new value in your eyes, from a wish to supply her with comforts, and enhance her beauty by becoming dress.

From Project Gutenberg

Ought we not to implore his guidance in the selection of a suitable partner, to share our sorrows, and enhance our joys?

From Project Gutenberg

He had observed my embarrassment, and now seemed to enhance the merit of this little success.

From Project Gutenberg

Such an occasion becomes symbolic and is utilized by the ego to enhance its feeling of importance.

From Project Gutenberg

Are we going to enhance my natural beauty, or would you like it—er—toned down a little?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Enhance

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.

Where does enhance come from?

The first records of the term enhance come from the 1300s. It comes from the Anglo-French enhauncer.

Especially in technology and medicine, enhance is used to mean “to upgrade performance.” Better-quality technology pieces, such as computer speakers and monitors are said to enhance your experience using the computer. In medicine, enhancing treatments such as drugs are meant to improve the speed, strength, or overall performance of a person in certain contexts.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to enhance?

• enhancement (noun)
• enhancer (noun)
• enhancive (adjective)
• unenhanced (adjective)

What are some synonyms for enhance?

• improve
• augment
• boost
• complement
• upgrade

What are some words that share a root or word element with enhance? 

• enhancement
• self-enhancement
• enhancer

What are some words that often get used in discussing enhance?

• experience
• speed
• quality
• power

How is enhance used in real life?

Enhance is commonly used to discuss intensity, value, or size increases.

Date people who enhance your life.

— Amb. एम्बर (@ajscribes) May 20, 2020

What good is your gift if you’re not using it to enhance people’s lives and really make a difference in the world?

— COMMON (@common) November 26, 2017

“Be an Encourager: When you encourage others, you boost their self-esteem, enhance their self-confidence,… #quotes, #nature #winter #photography pic.twitter.com/o1j4iEjVvn

— Rashada Yesmin – Amazon Affiliate (@RashadaWrites) December 19, 2021

 

Try using enhance!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for enhance?

A. augment
B. decrease
C. raise
D. upgrade