enhance
Americanverb (used with object)
-
enhances,
present (3rd person singular)
-
enhanced,
past participle, past
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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
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enhancessimple
-
have enhancedperfect
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has enhancedperfect
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am enhancingprogressive
-
are enhancingprogressive
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is enhancingprogressive
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have been enhancingperfect progressive
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has been enhancingperfect progressive
Past
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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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List 10
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Tears of a Tiger
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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:
What India has achieved, in his view, is a push for "strategic autonomy in an era of war" and initiatives to "enhance greater collaboration amongst themselves".
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
She wants to enhance user-created content on “Minecraft,” which would position it as a more direct rival to “Roblox,” and make Xbox an attractive distribution partner for independent developers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
Carney said Canada was also offering CAN$450 million in loan guarantees to enhance the Ukrainian energy supply.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
The deal is also expected to enhance its five-year plan, positioning the combined company to deliver higher total shareholder returns, they said, including a proposed quarterly dividend hike of 20% once the deal closes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
By representing myself I would enhance the symbolism of my role.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
El Niño typically enhances hurricane activity in the eastern and central Pacific because of the warm ocean temperatures it brings to that part of the ocean.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
"Diversifying energy supplies, including with abundant US sources, enhances regional stability and prosperity."
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 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
A fully realized edible garden, complete with raised beds and fruiting trees, enhances the property’s sense of abundance and connection to nature.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
Her face softens with a kindness that enhances her beauty.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
“My other senses have been enhanced because of my lack of hearing.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
Some recommendations are already being implemented, such as enhanced video surveillance, while other structural improvements are in the process of being developed.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
“We’ve enhanced our monitoring capabilities and continually explore emerging technology solutions to protect our capital markets from these dynamic threats,” the spokesman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
"Common framework means restructuring," Robert Besseling, CEO of Pangea-Risk, told AFP, adding that the "enhanced" component likely refers to an accelerated pace.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
A few of the portraits change—hair grows shorter or longer, noses shrink, skin tones flush over with enhanced or brand-new colors, hair textures morph, mouths plump up.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Beijing said on Friday it was "ready to work with India... by strengthening communication, enhancing cooperation, and properly handling differences".
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
A growing body of research suggests that travel may be a key tool for improving mental health, making us more resilient to stress and enhancing our cognitive well-being.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
The technology works by helping water droplets form more easily and detach more quickly, a combination that could improve energy efficiency in power plants and desalination facilities while also enhancing the cooling of electronic devices.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026
They were designed to mimic the natural features bats used for roosting, enhancing their habitats and helping bat populations to thrive on its sites.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
By including the Madison draft of 1792, he advertised his reluctance to serve even his second term, thereby enhancing the credibility of his voluntary rejection of a third.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
