# heighten

Pronunciation: US say "HY-tuhn" /ˈhaɪ̯.tən/; UK

## Verb

1. To increase something or make it stronger, larger, or more intense.
   - Simple: To make a feeling or quality stronger, greater, or more intense.
   - _The dramatic lighting heightened the tension during the final scene._
   - _Good seasoning can heighten the natural flavors of fresh vegetables._
2. To make something higher, or to raise it to a greater height.
   - Simple: To make something higher or raise it up.
   - _Engineers heightened the levee after the flood exposed its weaknesses._
   - _The architects chose to heighten the ceiling to create a sense of grandeur._

## Origin

From Middle English heightenen (also hyghtenen), formed from "height" and the verbal suffix "-en".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/heighten (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).