enhance
ihn-HAHNS
Enhance (verb) means to improve the quality, value, or appeal of something. Example: “A pinch of salt can enhance the flavour of the soup.”
verb
1
To improve the quality, value, or appeal of something.
"A pinch of salt can enhance the flavour of the soup."
"A fresh coat of paint really enhanced the look of the room."
"The new lighting enhances the mood of the restaurant."
How to use enhance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something better or more effective than it already is.
Common pairings
enhance performance
enhance the flavour
greatly enhanced
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- enhances
- Past tense
- enhanced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pinch of salt can _____ the flavour of the soup.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman anhauncer, "to raise up," ultimately from Latin altus, "high" — the same root as "altitude".
Related words
Rhymes for enhance
See all rhymes for enhance →Frequently asked questions
What does “enhance” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “enhance”?
“Enhance” is pronounced ihn-HAHNS (/ɪnˈhæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “enhance” in a sentence?
Here is “enhance” used in a sentence: “A fresh coat of paint really enhanced the look of the room.”
What is another word for “enhance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enhance” include heighten.
What is the opposite of “enhance”?
The opposite of “enhance” — its antonyms — is dehance.
What part of speech is “enhance”?
“Enhance” is a verb.
Where does the word “enhance” come from?
The word “enhance” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman anhauncer, "to raise up," ultimately from Latin altus, "high" — the same root as "altitude".
Is “enhance” a common word?
“Enhance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between enhance and improve?
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.
Is it spelled enhance or inhance?
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.
What are common collocations with enhance?
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.
Is enhance formal or informal?
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.
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