Wendy Perrin V. K. Zworykin & E. G. Ramberg
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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.
Examples of enhance in a Sentence
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
One mile-plus of concrete cart paths were repaired and widened in spots, while tree cleanup further reopened sight lines and enhanced turf health throughout the course.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Writer-director Pascal Plante skillfully enhances the themes of his film with a cold, unsettling atmosphere, often implicating us as voyeurs with our own fixation on the dark side of humanity.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Proceeds will go toward enhancing the center’s Aging in Place programs and providing other services for older adults.
—Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enhance
Cite this Entry
“Enhance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enhance. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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enhance
verb
