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Enhance Has Latin Roots
When enhance was borrowed into English in the 13th century, it literally meant to raise something higher. That sense, though now obsolete, provides a clue about the origins of the word. Enhance, which was spelled enhauncen in Middle English, comes to us from Anglo-French enhaucer or enhauncer ("to raise"), which can be traced back to the Latin altus ("high") by way of an assumed Vulgar Latin verb inaltiare, which would have been formed by combining the prefix in- with the Latin altus. Although enhance initially applied only to physically making things higher, it developed an additional and less literal sense of "to exalt especially in rank or spirit," and quickly acquired extended figurative senses for raising the value or attractiveness of something or someone.
Examples of enhance in a Sentence
Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
This approach enables companies to tailor marketing strategies and personalize offerings, thereby enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and enhance traffic operations at the intersection, according to the department.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enhance
Cite this Entry
“Enhance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enhance. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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enhance
verb
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