augment
verb (transitive)
UK/ɔːˈɡmɛnt/US/ˈɔːɡmənt/
To improve or enhance the quality or value of something.
Example Sentences
The new features will augment the software's functionality.
They augmented the quality of the product by using better materials.
To attract more customers, the store decided to augment its advertising efforts.
She augmented her presentation with detailed statistics and charts.
The chef augmented the dish with fresh herbs to enhance its flavor.
They augmented the security measures to ensure the safety of the premises.
The company augmented its services to provide a more comprehensive solution.
He augmented his portfolio with several successful projects.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To make greater in extent, quality, or effect, often by adding additional elements.“Augment” typically means to enlarge, boost, or enhance an existing entity or quality. For example, you might augment a budget by adding more funds, augment a design by layering new features, or augment your skill set by learning additional techniques. In technology, “augmented reality” merges digital content with the real world, expanding users’ perception. Whenever you “augment” something, you improve or extend it beyond its current state. This can be a literal increase in size—like augmenting manufacturing capacity—or a more abstract enhancement—like augmenting someone’s confidence with positive feedback. Regardless of domain, using “augment” highlights a deliberate process of enrichment or addition, positioning the original subject to operate at a higher or broader level of performance or quality.
Alternatives
Depending on context, synonyms like “enhance,” “boost,” or “amplify” might serve similar purposes. “Enhance” implies refining or making better without drastic change. “Boost” often connotes a quick or robust increase. “Amplify” underscores intensification—like making a signal or effect louder or stronger. “Expand” signals broadening scope, while “supplement” may focus on adding parts to fill a gap. Each variant hints at a rise in magnitude or effectiveness, but “augment” retains a purposeful sense of making something bigger or more capable.
Writing
When writing about augmentation, specify what is being increased and how. For instance, “The company plans to augment its research budget to explore new product lines.” If referencing a personal goal, you might say, “She decided to augment her language skills by taking intensive courses abroad.” In technical or design contexts, detail how certain methods or extensions cause the augmentation—like adding modules to software or enlisting new staff to handle more workload. Mention the intended outcome too: improved capability, larger capacity, better performance. Showing the before-and-after highlights the significance of the augmentation process.
Casual Conversation
In everyday chat, someone might remark, “I need to augment my savings if I want to travel,” or “Let’s augment this recipe by adding extra spices.” Friends might talk about “augmenting the guest list” if they’re inviting more people to a party. The tone usually implies a planned, beneficial improvement. For a light-hearted example: “I tried to augment my sleep schedule by going to bed earlier,” showing an attempt to get more rest. While “augment” sounds somewhat formal, it smoothly fits everyday scenarios where you’re deliberately improving or expanding something’s scope. It can also appear humorously—like “I augmented my snack by adding way too much chocolate syrup,” pointing to a slight overindulgence. In all cases, “augment” shows you’ve made something more extensive, thorough, or impactful.
Etymology
“Augment” traces back to the Latin “augmentare,” meaning “to increase,” which in turn stems from “augēre,” “to make grow.” In Old French, “augmenter” carried a similar sense of growing in size or importance. Over centuries, English adopted the term to describe intentional acts of adding or expanding. Modern usage still reflects that Roman root of fostering growth, whether referencing slight expansions or major overhauls— always capturing the sense of building upon what already exists to achieve greater magnitude or utility.
