elevate

1 of 2

verb

el·​e·​vate ˈe-lə-ˌvāt How to pronounce elevate (audio)
elevated; elevating

transitive verb

1
: to lift up or make higher : raise
elevate a patient's leg
exercises that elevate the heart rate
2
: to raise in rank or status
was elevated to chairman
3
: to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally
great books that both entertain and elevate their readers
4
: to raise the spirits of : elate

intransitive verb

: to become elevated : rise
his voice elevated to a shout

elevate

2 of 2

adjective

el·​e·​vate ˈe-lə-ˌvāt How to pronounce elevate (audio)
-vət
archaic
Choose the Right Synonym for elevate

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position.

lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of elevate in a Sentence

Verb exercises that elevate the heart rate seeing their son ordained as a priest was one of the most elevating moments in their lives
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.
Verb
Recently, however, both teams have elevated themselves to greater heights. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 Konvitz specializes in structuring and arranging financing, packaging, negotiating distribution, and crafting marketing and sales strategies for independent features, helping to elevate emerging and established filmmakers. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 By league rule, Miami can elevate two players off their practice squad for Sunday’s game. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 Sending so many youngsters out on loan weakened the under-21s and meant that a lot of the best under-18s were elevated to the higher age group. James Pearce, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elevate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin elevatus, past participle of elevare, from e- + levare to raise — more at lever

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elevate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elevate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

elevate

verb
el·​e·​vate
ˈel-ə-ˌvāt
elevated; elevating
1
: to lift up or make higher : raise
2
: to raise in rank or importance
3
: to improve the mind or spirits of
Etymology

Verb

Latin elevatus, past participle of elevare "to lift up," from e- "away" and levare "to raise" — related to lever

More from Merriam-Webster on elevate

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