enhance

[en-hans, -hahns]

verb (used with object)

enhanced, enhancing 

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

Other Word Forms

• enhancement noun
• enhancer noun
• enhancive adjective
• unenhanced 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

"It is clear there is a need to maintain and improve these important buildings whilst also enhancing the environmental sustainability of these venues," said Dafydd Rhys, chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales.

From BBC

It is “committed to wildfire mitigation through grid hardening, situational awareness and enhanced operational practices.”

From Los Angeles Times

This might be the furthest Wales' men have ever travelled for a qualifying match, but that distance only appears to have enhanced the appeal of this trip for the Red Wall.

From BBC

The goal, the statement said, “is to work together to dismantle transnational organized crime through enhanced cooperation.”

From Los Angeles Times

"We are going to increase and enhance the strikes of our operation, and that is why we called you," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.