augment

1 of 2

verb

aug·​ment ȯg-ˈment 

augmented; augmenting; augments

transitive verb

1

: to make greater, more numerous, larger, or more intense

The impact of the report was augmented by its timing.

2

: supplement

She took a second job to augment her income.

3

grammar : to add an augment to (a verb form) (see augment entry 2)

intransitive verb

: to become augmented

augmenter noun

or augmentor

ȯg-ˈmen-tər 

augment

2 of 2

noun

aug·​ment ˈȯg-ˌment 

grammar

: a vowel prefixed or a lengthening of the initial vowel to mark past time especially in Greek and Sanskrit verbs

Synonyms

Verb

• accelerate
• add (to)
• aggrandize
• amplify
• boost
• build up
• compound
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• extend
• hype
• increase
• multiply
• pump up
• raise
• stoke
• supersize
• swell
• up

Choose the Right Synonym for augment

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of augment in a Sentence

Verb

… a former member of Brunet's team, Jean-Renaud Boisserie of Berkeley, is in the Middle Awash seeking to augment the animal fossil record—particularly that of hippopotamuses. —Rex Dalton, Nature, 5 Jan. 2006

These reserve units will soon be augmented by full-time Maritime Safety and Security Teams. The first of these teams was formed on July 3; a dozen more are supposed to be created within the next three years. —David Helvarg, Popular Science, September 2002

The sale of its shares in such companies has helped augment its cash reserves from $1.7 billion to $2 billion. Call it a rainy-day fund—something that other dot-coms never had. But the move also suggests that even Yahoo has lost faith in the once boundless promise of Internet companies. —Brad Stone, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2001

The money augmented his fortune.

Heavy rains augmented the water supply.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Historically, alliances have been forged by individual leaders and have served to augment a nation’s strength in case of war. —Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024

Lores says repeatedly finding moments to learn and augment his overall skill set was a significant trigger shot to his career. —Natalie McCormick, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

To avoid making this mistake, ensure AI augments rather than replaces human skills. —Adi Vaxman, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Thematic overtones are sonically represented in Högni Egilsson’s tender, moving score that properly enhances motivations and augments actors’ work. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French augmenter, from Late Latin augmentare, from Latin augmentum increase, from augēre to increase — more at eke

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

augment

verb

aug·​ment

ȯg-ˈment

1

: to increase especially in size, amount, or degree

2

: to add to : supplement

augmentation

ˌȯg-mən-ˈtā-shən

-ˌmen-

noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English augmenten "to increase," from early French augmenter (same meaning), derived from Latin augēre "to increase" — related to auction

Medical Definition

augment

transitive verb

aug·​ment ȯg-ˈment  ˈȯg-ˌment 

: to increase in size, amount, degree, or severity

diabetes mellitus is augmented by hyperthyroidism

—C. H. Thienes