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REFERENCE

enhance

v.
US //ɛnˈhæns// UK //ɛnhˈɑːns// en·hance
  1. 1 to improve or augment (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    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.

    Example

    The new software will enhance the speed of your computer.

    Example

    The researchers hope that the new irrigation techniques will significantly enhance crop yields in arid regions without depleting local water tables.

    Usage

    Often used with abstract nouns like 'performance', 'reputation', 'value', or 'experience'.
  2. 2 to add features (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    to make something better by adding more details or special features.

    to improve a product or system by adding features or refining existing components.

    Example

    You can use this app to enhance your photos with filters.

    Example

    The latest firmware update was designed to enhance the security protocols of the network while maintaining high data throughput for users.

    Usage

    Commonly used in photography and software development contexts.
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  1. 3 medical imaging (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Medicine

    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.

    Example

    The doctor noted that the tumor did not enhance on the MRI scan.

    Example

    The radiologist observed that the lesion failed to enhance following the administration of intravenous contrast, suggesting a benign pathology.

    Usage

    In this specific medical sense, the verb can be used intransitively.

Origin

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.

Word family

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