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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.
Synonyms
Examples of enhance in a Sentence
Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Velcro cuffs, a chin guard, and an adjustable hem help enhance protection from water and wind.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024
For witches, this type of intuitive insight is part of their magical practice, enhancing their ability to protect and care for one another.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024
This enhances physique while improving strength, mobility, and stability, perfect for establishing good holistic health.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enhance 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enhance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Enhance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enhance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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enhance
verb
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