enhance

/ɪnˈhæns/

/ɛnˈhɑns/

Other forms: enhanced; enhancing; enhances

Many people use the expression "enhance your chance" to point out ways to increase your chances of winning or earning a contest or prize. When you enhance something, you heighten it or make it better.

"Hance" is not a word, but the addition of "en-" does something to enhance it and improve its sound. You can enhance the size of something, too, by altering it or raising it, which is what the word original meant (the "hance" part came via French from Latin altus, meaning "high"). When you enhance something you take it to a higher level, like adding salt to French fries to enhance flavor or adding words to enhance your vocabulary.

Definitions of enhance

1. verb

   increase
   “This will enhance your enjoyment”

   synonyms: heighten, raise

   types:

   potentiate

   increase the effect of or act synergistically with (a drug or a physiological or biochemical phenomenon)

   type of:

   compound, deepen, heighten, intensify

   make more intense, stronger, or more marked
2. verb

   make better or more attractive
   “This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat”

   types:

   follow up

   increase the effectiveness or success of by further action

   retouch, touch up

   alter so as to produce a more desirable appearance

   type of:

   ameliorate, amend, better, improve, meliorate

   make better