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
-
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 10
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Tears of a Tiger
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
"The Ghana Tourism Authority also latched on to it and then used it to enhance their tourism project," Asare explains, saying the initiative started to become less about "repair" and more about hitting tourism quotas.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
“AI cannot replace it. AI can enhance human creativity,” Totoki said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
“Moreover, AI should meaningfully enhance the company’s content recommendation engine and ad targeting capabilities.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Exercise may also increase the quality of deep sleep and enhance slow wave activity associated with brain waste clearance.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
“Ravenclaw’s was supposed to have magical properties, enhance the wisdom of the wearer.”
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
"Diversifying energy supplies, including with abundant US sources, enhances regional stability and prosperity."
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
The glow of a World Series appearance — also known as recency bias — enhances value.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
"Our aim is to explain all elements of royal finances in a way that further enhances clarity and accessibility," said a Palace spokesman.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
“This direct, real-time access to the information and human discourse on X enhances Grok’s truth-seeking capabilities by grounding outputs in up-to-date knowledge and diverse viewpoints,” the prospectus says.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026
He wants his listener to feel disorientated, or surprised, or intrigued, especially if it fits or enhances the words of the poem.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Pandemic-era enhanced subsidies expired on Dec. 31, 2025.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
“That’s why enhanced training and exercises are so important.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Operations will be subject to enhanced oversight, according to a release from NHTSA.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
It said the more distinctive the trademark, the greater risk of confusion, adding the enhanced degree of distinctiveness meant the likelihood of confusion could not be ruled out.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
Nonetheless, games and songs were developed in their entirety or at least greatly enhanced by the creativity of children.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
“We’re always enhancing our fraud and scam prevention program as criminals find new ways to target consumers,” the JPMorgan spokeswoman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Investing in better-quality doors indoors and outdoors — even the garage door — is also helpful in enhancing the home’s appeal all around, experts said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
A spokesperson said there was a cost associated with award applications and its focus was on "directing as much funding as possible into enhancing and maintaining our parks".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Elections Assistance Commission’s remaining members as enhancing election security.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
"Yeah, they called and offered to help out. Same software they use for enhancing spy satellite imagery."
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
