What does enhance mean?
Word: Enhance
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Enhance means to make something better, stronger or more attractive than it already is.
Synonyms: improve, boost, enrich, heighten
Antonyms: reduce, spoil, weaken
How do you spell enhance?
Syllables: en - hance
Tricky part: The h in the middle is sounded and easy to leave out: say the word clearly and write the h you hear.
Watch out for: enance, ennance, enhanc
Memory tip: Breathe out as you start the second syllable: that little puff of air is the letter h, so it must be written.
Enhance in a sentence
Example 1: A pinch of cardamom will enhance the flavour of the rice pudding.
Example 2: Regular practice can enhance your speed in mental maths.
Example 3: The museum added soft lighting to enhance the colours of the old paintings.
Fun Fact
Phone cameras now use software to enhance photos the moment they are taken, brightening faces and sharpening edges before you even look at the picture.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
enhance
a) display
b) strengthen
c) decorate
d) diminish
Show answer
d) diminish. Strengthening, decorating and displaying all build something up or show it off; diminish makes it smaller or weaker.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
enh_n_e
a) a, c
b) e, c
c) e, s
d) a, s
Show answer
a) a, c. Enhance ends like glance and chance: an a, then a soft c.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
hecnane
a) entrance
b) enchant
c) advance
d) enhance
Show answer
d) enhance. Enchant needs a t, entrance an r and a t, and advance a d and a v, and none of those letters is in the jumble.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) pursue
b) receipt
c) inhance
d) accommodate
Show answer
c) inhance. The word starts with the prefix en, so in is wrong; the other three are fine.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A singer uses a microphone to enhance her voice. What does the microphone do?
a) makes it louder and clearer
b) changes the words of the song
c) hides it from the crowd
d) records it for later
Show answer
a) makes it louder and clearer
2. Which of these would NOT enhance a photograph?
a) a freshly cleaned lens
b) softer, brighter lighting
c) a thumbprint on the lens
d) a steadier hand
Show answer
c) a thumbprint on the lens
