enhance

verb

en·​hance in-ˈhan(t)s 

en-

enhanced; enhancing

transitive verb

1

: heighten, increase

took steps to enhance security/efficiency

drugs that enhance performance

a strategy to enhance sales

especially : to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness

ways to enhance your home decor

Police digitally enhanced the image.

The acquisition will enhance the company's portfolio.

These features greatly enhance the user experience.

The staff has been here for decades, and their knowledge will enhance your stay.

—Wendy Perrin

2

obsolete : raise

enhancement

in-ˈhan(t)-smənt 

en-

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.

Synonyms of enhance

• improve

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

Target-specific formulas, including those for grays or outgrown roots, can enhance your silver or extend your salon color without compromising the overall health of your strands—the options are endless. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026

My 50-minute massage was enhanced by a collagen face mask with pumpkin extract—a new one to me, but a welcome add-on that felt super luxurious. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

This would enhance China’s ability to conduct sustained naval aviation operations over greater distances. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

In a keynote speech at a 2018 conference in Sweden, Benson showed a slide with a map of CCS facilities across the world, most of which were enhanced oil recovery sites. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for enhance

• advance
• askance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance
• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance

Kids Definition

enhance

verb

en·​hance in-ˈhan(t)s 

enhanced; enhancing

: to increase or improve in value, desirability, or attractiveness

enhancement

-mənt 

noun

enhancer noun