enhance
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to improve the quality, value, or power of something.
to increase or improve the quality, value, or extent of something. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The new software will enhance the speed of your computer.”
In context“The researchers hope that the new irrigation techniques will significantly enhance crop yields in arid regions without depleting local water tables.”
UsageOften used with abstract nouns like 'performance', 'reputation', 'value', or 'experience'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make something better by adding more details or special features.
to improve a product or system by adding features or refining existing components.
Simple“You can use this app to enhance your photos with filters.”
In context“The latest firmware update was designed to enhance the security protocols of the network while maintaining high data throughput for users.”
UsageCommonly used in photography and software development contexts.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
when an organ or tissue shows up more clearly on a medical scan after using a special dye.
to take up contrast agent during a medical imaging procedure, making specific tissues or lesions more visible.
Simple“The doctor noted that the tumor did not enhance on the MRI scan.”
In context“The radiologist observed that the lesion failed to enhance following the administration of intravenous contrast, suggesting a benign pathology.”
UsageIn this specific medical sense, the verb can be used intransitively.
Usage considerably enhance · enhance ability · enhance capacity
“Animal proteins are generally more digestible than plant proteins , and cooking generally enhances protein digestibility .”
“A well-selected book, in particular, has the ability to enhance a child’s reading pleasure and reading ability, allowing them to see and feel the world with fresh insight.”
From Middle English enhauncen, anhaunsen, from Anglo-Norman anhauncer (“enhance, raise”), from Vulgar Latin *inaltiāre (“raise”), derived from Latin in + altus (“high”). The /h/ in Old French was taken from haut (“high”), where it resulted from Frankish influence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.