enhance

verb

en·​hance in-ˈhan(t)s How to pronounce enhance (audio)
en-
enhanced; enhancing

transitive verb

1
: heighten, increase
especially : to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
enhanced the room with crown molding
2
obsolete : raise
enhancement noun

Did you know?

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

You can enhance the flavor of the dish by using fresh herbs. The image has been digitally enhanced to show more detail. The company is looking to enhance its earnings potential.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 The Mach 1 boots also use a polyurethane plastic with a thickness adjusted to enhance vibration damping and stability. Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 Insulet continues to focus on expanding its product offerings and enhancing its customer experience through digital capabilities. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 Finally, enhance home security with the Blink Outdoor 4 at 62% off—easy to install, Alexa-friendly, and equipped with sharp 1080p video. Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enhance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enhauncen, from Anglo-French enhaucer, enhauncer, from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Latin in + altus high — more at old

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of enhance was in the 14th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near enhance

Cite this Entry

“Enhance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enhance. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

enhance

verb
en·​hance in-ˈhan(t)s How to pronounce enhance (audio)
enhanced; enhancing
: to increase or improve in value, desirability, or attractiveness
enhancement noun
enhancer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on enhance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!