English Reference
verb · adjective

augmented

v. · adj.
US /ɑɡˈmɛntɪd/ UK /ɔːɡmˈɛntɪd/ aug·ment·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to have made something larger or better by adding to it.

    v.the past tense or past participle of 'augment', meaning to have increased the size, amount, or degree of something.

    Simple

    The company augmented its staff by hiring ten new engineers last month.

    In context

    The existing budget was augmented by a series of private grants, allowing the research team to extend their field study by another six months.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describes something that has been increased in size, amount, or strength.

    adj.having been made greater in size or value; often used to describe a system or entity that has been supplemented.

    Simple

    The soldiers were sent to the border with augmented supplies for the winter.

    In context

    The report provided an augmented view of the situation, incorporating data from several previously classified sources.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Music

    adj.in music, this describes a note or a gap between notes that has been made wider by a half-step.

    adj.denoting an interval that is a semitone greater than a major or perfect interval.

    Simple

    The composer used an augmented fourth to create a feeling of tension in the music.

    In context

    The piece relies heavily on augmented chords to produce its characteristic dissonant and unresolved atmosphere.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies, such as 'augmented fourth' or 'augmented triad'.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    adj.describes a type of technology that adds digital images or information onto the real world.

    adj.relating to a technology that superimposes computer-generated images or data onto a user's view of the physical world.

    Simple

    The game uses augmented reality to show monsters hiding in your own living room.

    In context

    The surgeons used an augmented reality headset to overlay the patient's MRI scans directly onto the surgical field during the procedure.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'augmented reality'.

    AR

Other emerging models of smart glasses can apply augmented reality technology to float captions into the wearer's line of sight, aiding people with hearing issues.

Phys.org· 3 Sept 2026

For instance, Reality Labs, the division responsible for Meta’s virtual and augmented reality tools and software like the metaverse, has lost $70bn since 2020.

Al Jazeera· 19 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated