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)
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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:
The company said those drive-thru lanes “continue to perform well and are helping enhance guest access and convenience, as well as increase new restaurant sales, margins and returns.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
A new strategy to restore and enhance protection for nature in Northern Ireland has been launched by the agriculture and environment minister.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Their darkness and surreality narrow your attention and enhance your connection to their stunning, futuristic artifacts, turning a familiar experience into a thrilling journey.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
"From next year onwards, we have planned to enhance our transmission capacity, adding five major transmission network lines."
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Once elected, Reagan’s promise to enhance the federal government’s role in fighting crime was complicated by the fact that fighting street crime has traditionally been the responsibility of state and local law enforcement.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Continental Shelf and materially enhances its production outlook.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
He added that it "very much enhances" the defence alliance Nato.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
"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
Her face softens with a kindness that enhances her beauty.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
In December 2025, the governor pitched a proposal for an AI bill of rights with enhanced protections for consumers and minors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Nigerian authorities have announced enhanced screenings for international airport arrivals.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
Several countries in the region have announced tightening of surveillance measures and enhanced screening for visitors.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 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
Then they say stuff to me like, “That’s good, Andy, but couldn’t you have improved this part or enhanced this section?”
From "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper
“The water was warm all year off of Southern California, but the El Niño is now enhancing that and keeping it warm, where naturally it would drop,” Flick said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 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
Stephanie Coombes, head of intelligence at Opal, said it was about enhancing cooperation between forces to target criminals operating in different parts of the country.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
The US military's Joint Taskforce-Micronesia told AFP the port will "expand Palau's capacity for commercial shipping and larger vessels while simultaneously enhancing the US military's logistical options for regional defence".
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
She knew that these classes were enhancing her students’ reading levels, their understanding of the world, their souls.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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