enhance

Forms

present (v1): enhance
past (v2): enhanced
past participle (v3): enhanced
present participle: enhancing
3rd person singular: enhances

Definitions

1.To augment or make something greater.
- They had no character to preserve, except for courage; and perhaps the reputation of ferocity enhanced the value of their services, in making them feared as well as hated by the people.
2.To improve something by adding features.
- A pom-pom to top off a stocking cap, a fringe to feather the edge of a shawl, tassels to define the points of an afghan, these are just a few of the delightful little goodies that enhance handknit things.
- The only silver lining for businesses and local residents was that there was at least an end in sight, and that the new station, once built, would enhance the area and provide improved east-west access for pedestrians.
3.To be raised up; to grow larger.
- A debt enhances rapidly by compound interest.
4.To take up contrast agent (for an organ, tissue, or lesion).

Frequency

Overall

Uncommon· #2630

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Rare
General reading & writing: Uncommon
Academic: Uncommon
Literature: Rare

Related words

Synonyms

raise

Etymology

From Middle English enhauncen, anhaunsen, from Anglo-Norman anhauncer (“enhance, raise”), from Vulgar Latin *inaltiāre (“raise”), derived from Latin in + altus (“high”).

The /h/ in Old French was taken from haut (“high”), where it resulted from Frankish influence.