Enhance
/ɪnˈhæns/
verbB2
Definition
To enhance something means to improve it or increase its quality, value, or attractiveness. It is used when you want to make a good thing even better or stronger in some way. This can apply to many things, like skills, pictures, feelings, or objects.
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See It in Action
To improve quality or value
- •The new lighting enhances the room's appearance.
- •Exercise can enhance your health.
- •This software enhances the sound of your music.
To increase or make stronger
- •His skills were enhanced by years of practice.
- •The spices enhance the flavor of the dish.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "enhance" like "make better" (A1 phrase), but more formal and often about improvement that adds value or quality
- ✓Picture adding bright colors to a dull painting to make it more beautiful and interesting
- ✓It's the feeling when your favorite song sounds clearer and more exciting after using better headphones
- ✓Sounds like "in-HANCE" → imagine putting a "hand" on something to lift it up higher or make it stronger
- ✓Think of a photo app that enhances pictures by making colors brighter and details clearer
- ✓NOT like "fix" (which means to repair something broken), "enhance" means to improve something already good
- ✓NOT like "change" (which can be any difference), "enhance" means the change is positive and makes it better
- ✓NOT like "add" (just putting something extra), "enhance" improves the quality, not just quantity
Try Other Words
- •Improve: to make better (Use when talking about general betterment, less formal)
- •Boost: to increase strength or amount (Use when emphasizing increase or power)
- •Upgrade: to raise to a higher standard (Use when talking about technical or quality improvements)
- •Refine: to make small improvements to make something better or more precise (Use when focusing on details)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "en-" (to cause to) + root "hance" (from Old French "hauncer" meaning to raise or lift)
- •Etymology: From Old French "enhauncer," meaning to raise or lift up, from Latin "altiare" (to make high)
- •Historical development: Originally meant to lift up or raise in position or value; now means to improve or increase quality
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in technology, art, personal skills, and many areas to describe making something better or stronger
Reflect & Connect
•How can you enhance your daily life with small changes? What would you choose to improve first?
•Can enhancing something sometimes have negative effects? When might making something "better" cause problems?
Fill in the blanks
1.To enhance the photo, you need to ___ its brightness and contrast first.
2.When you enhance your skills, you usually spend more time ___ and practicing.
3.The spices enhance the dish by adding ___ flavors and smells.
4.Unlike fixing a broken machine, enhancing means to ___ something already working well.
5.People often use special software to enhance audio ___ for clearer sound.
6.A good teacher helps students enhance their understanding ___ just giving facts.
7.When a company enhances its product, it usually wants to ___ customer satisfaction and sales.