enhance
verb
en·hance in-ˈhan(t)s 
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
in-ˈhan(t)-smənt
noun en-
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.
Synonyms
- ameliorate
- amend
- better
- enrich
- help
- improve
- meliorate
- perfect
- refine
- upgrade
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Cardinal Stadium has undergone several changes to enhance the fan experience after receiving feedback from ticketholders last year. 
Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2022 Use warm wood tones to balance a crisp white kitchen or to enhance the appeal of deep green and blue tones. Julianne Hilmes Bartlett, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2022 Those watching on the Prime Video app on their TVs, phones, or tablets can access on-demand statistics and highlights to enhance the second-screen experience. Joe Reedy, ajc, 13 Sep. 2022 The two countries have also continued to enhance their military cooperation. Keith Zhai, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Of course, Ferrari doesn’t like to call it an SUV, instead referring to this new model as an extension of its sports car lineup with a new form factor meant to enhance versatility and comfort. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 13 Sep. 2022 Krug has long been a proponent of music pairings as a way to enhance its Champagnes. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2022 Over the last two years the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources worked with anglers to develop the 2020-22 Lake Michigan stocking plan to enhance fisheries management in the lake. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2022 The additional layers of high-tech surveillance adopted in the name of pandemic prevention can be used to enhance the tracking and monitoring of the populace more generally. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 See More
Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 14 Sep. 2022 Use warm wood tones to balance a crisp white kitchen or to enhance the appeal of deep green and blue tones. Julianne Hilmes Bartlett, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2022 Those watching on the Prime Video app on their TVs, phones, or tablets can access on-demand statistics and highlights to enhance the second-screen experience. Joe Reedy, ajc, 13 Sep. 2022 The two countries have also continued to enhance their military cooperation. Keith Zhai, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Of course, Ferrari doesn’t like to call it an SUV, instead referring to this new model as an extension of its sports car lineup with a new form factor meant to enhance versatility and comfort. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 13 Sep. 2022 Krug has long been a proponent of music pairings as a way to enhance its Champagnes. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2022 Over the last two years the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources worked with anglers to develop the 2020-22 Lake Michigan stocking plan to enhance fisheries management in the lake. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2022 The additional layers of high-tech surveillance adopted in the name of pandemic prevention can be used to enhance the tracking and monitoring of the populace more generally. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 See More 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
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
enhance
verb
en·hance in-ˈhans
enhanced; enhancing
: to make greater or better The products claim to enhance beauty.
enhanced 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in intensified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- intensified
- heightened
- accentuated
- emphasized
- magnified
- deepened
- aggravated
- concentrated
- intensive
- stressed
- exquisite
- intense
- explosive
- acute
- profound
- fearsome
- terrible
- almighty
- ferocious
- blistering
- violent
- ghastly
- dreadful
- thorough
- furious
- fearful
- vicious
- excruciating
- heavy
- keen
- fierce
- exhaustive
- heavy-duty
- frightful
- deep
- rigorous
- vehement
- hellacious
- severe
- hard
- harsh
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- moderate
- soft
- weak
- feeble
- decreased
- superficial
- shallow
- reduced
- diminished
- eased
- qualified
- moderated
- subdued
- toned (down)
- lightened
- lessened
- alleviated
- abated
2
as in enlightened
Synonyms & Similar Words
- enlightened
- matured
- grown
- perfected
- educated
- civilized
- improved
- modern
- aged
- ripened
- recent
- now
- contemporary
- mature
- ripe
- latest
- new
- ultramodern
- current
- novel
- newfangled
- newest
- developed
- higher
- cutting-edge
- advanced
- evolved
- mod
- supermodern
- leading-edge
- up-to-date
- precocious
- new-fashioned
- full-blown
- space-age
- full-fledged
- present-day
- progressive
- full-scale
- refined
- forward
- late
- high
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lower
- low
- primitive
- retarded
- rudimentary
- undeveloped
- underdeveloped
- backward
- green
- immature
- rude
- nonprogressive
- undersized
- savage
- undersize
- early
- unripened
- unripe
- underweight
- uncivilized
- uneducated
- primordial
- embryonic
- past
- primeval
- old
- obsolete
- antiquated
- antique
- germinal
- antediluvian
- dated
- outworn
- hoary
- musty
- fusty
- oldfangled
- old-fashioned
- out-of-date
- old-time
- passé
- Neanderthal
- Neandertal
enhanced
2 of 2verb
1
as in improved
to make better some shrubbery would really enhance the curb appeal of that house Synonyms & Similar Words
- improved
- refined
- enriched
- upgraded
- ameliorated
- amended
- perfected
- helped
- remedied
- reinforced
- bettered
- meliorated
- remediated
- strengthened
- intensified
- revised
- corrected
- rectified
- reworked
- revamped
- reformed
- boosted
- rehabilitated
- refurbished
- fine-tuned
- edited
- emended
- redrafted
- polished
- fortified
- honed
- reenforced
- retouched
- fined
- rehabbed
- touched up
- beefed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impaired
- worsened
- reduced
- damaged
- harmed
- hurt
- injured
- diminished
- spoilt
- spoiled
- vitiated
- flawed
- lowered
- lessened
- disfigured
- tarnished
- marred
- blighted
- defaced
- endamaged
- blemished
2
as in heightened
to make markedly greater in measure or degree the right makeup would enhance the beauty of her eyes Synonyms & Similar Words
- intensified
- heightened
- deepened
- strengthened
- consolidated
- reinforced
- boosted
- broadened
- expanded
- amplified
- accentuated
- augmented
- sharpened
- redoubled
- magnified
- stepped up
- extended
- lengthened
- accelerated
- emphasized
- enlarged
- maximized
- enforced
- supplemented
- beefed (up)
- amped (up)
- enlivened
- quickened
- hastened
- exacerbated
- restrengthened
- aggravated
- stressed
- reenforced
- pointed (up)
- jazzed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduced
- decreased
- diminished
- weakened
- lessened
- moderated
- abated
- subdued
- subsided
- waned
- tapered (off)
- receded
- dwindled
- alleviated
- lightened
- eased
- toned (down)
- let up (on)
3
as in sweetened
to make more desirable leather seats and a state-of-the-art stereo system enhance the sedan Synonyms & Similar Words
- improved
- sweetened
- spruced
- candied
- enriched
- ameliorated
- meliorated
- tricked
- embellished
- dressed up
- souped up
- cosmeticized
- dolled up