enhance

The word “enhance” means to improve the quality, value, or appeal of something. In plain terms, to make something better or more effective than it already is.

“Enhance” is pronounced ihn-HAHNS (/ɪnˈhæns/ in IPA).

Here is “enhance” used in a sentence: “A fresh coat of paint really enhanced the look of the room.”

Words with a similar meaning to “enhance” include heighten.

The opposite of “enhance” — its antonyms — is dehance.

“Enhance” is a verb.

The word “enhance” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman anhauncer, "to raise up," ultimately from Latin altus, "high" — the same root as "altitude".

“Enhance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Improve is the general word for making anything better, while enhance specifically means to raise the quality, value, or appeal of something that already has merit. You improve a weak essay, but you enhance a good photo by sharpening its colors.

Enhance is the only correct spelling; inhance is a common misspelling. The word begins with the prefix en-, the same one seen in enlarge and enrich.

Enhance frequently pairs with quality, value, appeal, experience, performance, reputation, and security, as in "enhance the user experience." It is a transitive verb, so it always takes a direct object.

Enhance leans formal and is especially common in business, technical, and academic writing. In everyday conversation, people usually say improve, boost, or make better instead.