English Reference
Word verb

heighten

v.
US /ˈhaɪtən/ UK /hˈaɪtən/ height·en UK spelling heightens
Definition
  1. 01 C2 Proficiency Formal

    to make something higher in a physical way.

    to increase the physical height or elevation of an object.

    Simple

    “The builders decided to heighten the garden wall to give the owners more privacy.”

    In context

    “The architect proposed to heighten the ceiling in the lobby to create a more grand and welcoming entrance for guests.”

    Usage

    Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, 'raise' or 'make higher' is much more common for physical objects; 'heighten' is almost exclusively reserved for abstract intensification.

    Synonyms
    raiseelevate
    Antonyms
    lower
Real-world usage

“Great for heightening drama, terrible for addressing the country's immediate difficulties.”

BBC News· 12 Aug 2026

“Invasive meningococcal disease tend to peak in October to November each year, which further heightens the risk.”

BBC News· 16 Jul 2026
Etymology

From Middle English heightenen, hyghtenen, equivalent to height + -en (verbal suffix).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English heightenen
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated