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heighten

verb

/ˈhaɪt n/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of heighten

To intensify or increase the degree or level of something.
"The suspenseful music in the movie helped to heighten the sense of anticipation."

Detailed meaning of heighten

It involves raising or amplifying a particular quality, sensation, emotion, or aspect of a situation. By heightening something, it becomes more pronounced, noticeable, or impactful. This can apply to various contexts, such as heightening emotions, awareness, senses, or experiences. For example, one can heighten the suspense in a story, heighten the flavors in a dish, or heighten the tension in a conversation. It often involves creating a greater sense of focus, emphasis, or impact by elevating certain elements. Whether through intentional manipulation, natural progression, or external influences, the act of heightening serves to intensify and enhance the significance or effect of the subject at hand.

Example sentences containing heighten

1. Experiencing the beauty of the mountains can heighten one's appreciation for nature.
2. The sight of the empty house seemed to heighten her feelings of loneliness.
3. Regular exercise can heighten your mood and energy levels.
4. The heavy rains were expected to heighten the risk of flooding in the area.
5. These tactics are often used to heighten suspense in thriller movies.
6. The fading light of sunset managed to heighten the beauty of the landscape.

History and etymology of heighten

The verb 'heighten' has its roots in the Old English word 'heah,' which meant 'high' or 'tall.' In Old English, 'heah' was often used to describe physical height or elevation. Over time, the meaning of 'heighten' evolved to include the figurative sense of intensifying or increasing the degree or level of something, much like how raising something to a greater height can make it more prominent or noticeable. This shift in meaning allowed 'heighten' to be applied to a wide range of contexts beyond physical elevation, emphasizing the idea of enhancing or intensifying various qualities or aspects.

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Further usage examples of heighten

1. His eloquent speech only seemed to heighten the crowd's enthusiasm.
2. The ongoing drought could heighten the city's water crisis.
3. The introduction of new technology is expected to heighten productivity in the factory.
4. The rich aroma of the coffee shop seemed to heighten my craving for a good brew.
5. As she climbed higher, the thinning air began to heighten her senses.
6. Their constant arguments only heighten the tension between them.
7. The artist used bold colors to heighten the dramatic effect of his painting.
8. Their ongoing research continues to heighten our understanding of the human brain.
9. The imminent arrival of the celebrity seemed to heighten the excitement among the fans.
10. A healthy diet can heighten your body's ability to fight off diseases.
11. Reading the biography seemed to heighten my admiration for the author's accomplishments.
12. The scarcity of the product only seemed to heighten its demand in the market.
13. The ongoing pandemic has done nothing but heighten the importance of maintaining good hygiene.
14. Spending more time outdoors can heighten your appreciation for the world's natural wonders.