Elevate
/ˈɛləˌveɪt/
verbB2
Definition
Elevate means to raise something up higher in space, status, or feeling. It can mean lifting an object up, raising someone's rank or importance, or improving the quality or mood of something.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To lift something to a higher physical place
- •She elevated the box onto the shelf.
- •The platform elevates the speaker above the crowd.
- •He elevated his injured leg to reduce swelling.
To raise someone's rank, status, or importance
- •The company elevated her to manager after one year.
- •The award elevated his reputation in the art world.
- •The new law elevated the rights of workers.
To improve or raise feelings, mood, or quality
- •Music can elevate your mood when you feel sad.
- •The beautiful view elevated their spirits.
- •Good friends help elevate your confidence.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "elevate" like "lift" (A1 word), but not just physically—also raising ideas, feelings, or status higher
- ✓Picture a person being lifted up on a stage or a box, standing taller than before
- ✓It's the feeling when your mood goes up after good news, like your spirits are higher
- ✓Sounds like "EL-uh-vate" → imagine an elevator (lift) going up to a higher floor
- ✓Think of a teacher elevating a student's work by giving praise or a promotion elevating an employee's position
- ✓NOT like "raise" (only physical or money), "elevate" can mean lifting feelings or importance too
- ✓NOT like "lift" (only physical), "elevate" includes abstract ideas like respect or mood
- ✓NOT like "improve" (make better), "elevate" often means moving to a higher level, not just better quality
Try Other Words
- •Raise: to move something to a higher position (Use when talking about physical or money increase)
- •Boost: to increase or improve something (Use when focusing on improving mood, confidence, or performance)
- •Promote: to give a higher rank or position (Use when talking about jobs or status)
- •Lift: to pick up or move something higher (Use mainly for physical movement)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "e-" (a form of "ex-", meaning out or up) + "lev" (from Latin "levare," meaning to raise or lift) + "-ate" (a verb ending)
- •Etymology: From Latin "elevare," meaning to raise or lift up
- •Historical development: Used since the late 1400s to mean raising physically or metaphorically
- •Modern usage: Used both for physical lifting and raising abstract things like mood, status, or quality
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations can you use "elevate" to describe feelings or moods instead of physical movement?
•How does elevating someone's status or position affect their confidence or behavior?
Fill in the blanks
1.She tried to elevate her injured arm ___ the swelling go down.
2.The coach's speech helped elevate the team's ___ before the game.
3.The company decided to elevate her ___ after years of hard work.
4.Unlike just lifting a box, to elevate a person's status means to ___ their importance.
5.Music can elevate your mood, making you feel ___ and happier.
6.When you elevate something, it often means it moves to a ___ level, not just a small change.
7.He elevated the painting ___ the wall to make it more visible.