enhance
/ɪnˈhæns/To make something better in quality, value, or appearance. It suggests adding something extra to what already exists, rather than fixing a problem. Often used in formal or academic contexts.
- Regular exercise can enhance your mental well-being.
- The new lighting enhanced the beauty of the hall.
- She took a course to enhance her writing skills.
Adinary Nuance
Enhance is close to improve, boost, and elevate, but each word fits a different situation. Improve is the most neutral and general — you use it to fix something that wasn't good enough. Enhance, by contrast, implies something is already acceptable, and you are making it even better or more impressive. Boost is more informal and suggests a quick, noticeable increase (e.g. "boost your energy"), while enhance sounds more deliberate and refined. In academic and IELTS writing, enhance is the stronger, more valued choice over improve when you want to show that quality is being elevated, not just corrected.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Nâng cao
- Spanish
- Realzar
- Chinese
- 增强
- Japanese
- 高める
- Korean
- 향상시키다
Etymology
From Old French "enhaucier" (to raise, increase), traced back to Vulgar Latin "inaltiare" meaning "to make high," from Latin "altus" (high). It entered English in the late 15th century, carrying a sense of elevation and added quality.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'enhance' more formal than 'improve'?
- Yes. 'Enhance' has a more formal, academic tone. In everyday speech, people usually say 'improve.' In IELTS essays or business writing, 'enhance' sounds more polished and precise.
- What is the difference between 'enhance' and 'improve'?
- 'Improve' suggests fixing something that had a problem or was below standard. 'Enhance' suggests something is already good, and you are making it even better or more effective. For example: 'The new feature enhances user experience' — it was already working, but now it's better.
- Can I use 'enhance' in IELTS writing tasks?
- Absolutely. 'Enhance' is a high-frequency academic word and is a strong choice in both Task 1 and Task 2. It shows range of vocabulary and fits formal register well.
- What words does 'enhance' commonly go with?
- 'Enhance' collocates well with: performance, skills, experience, quality, value, appearance, productivity, and understanding. These combinations sound natural to native speakers.