augment

[ verb awg-ment; noun awg-ment ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase:

   His salary is augmented by a small inheritance.

   Synonyms: swell

2. Music.
   1. to raise (the upper note of an interval or chord) by a half step.
   2. to double the note values of (a theme):

      In the fugue's development the subject is augmented.

3. Grammar. to add an augment to.
4. Heraldry. to grant an augmentation to (a coat of arms).

verb (used without object)

1. to become larger.

   Synonyms: increase

noun

1. Grammar. a prefixed vowel or a lengthening of the initial vowel that characterizes certain forms in the nonpresent inflection of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, Armenian, and Phrygian.

augment

verb

1. to make or become greater in number, amount, strength, etc; increase
2. See diminish
   tr music to increase (a major or perfect interval) by a semitone Compare diminish
3. tr (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) to prefix a vowel or diphthong to (a verb) to form a past tense

noun

1. (in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) a vowel or diphthong prefixed to a verb to form a past tense

Derived Forms

• augˈmentor, noun
• augˈmentable, adjective

Other Words From

• aug·menta·ble adjective
• unaug·menta·ble adjective
• unaug·mented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

First recorded in 1375–1475; late Middle English au(g)menten, from Anglo-French, Middle French au(g)menter, from Late Latin augmentāre “to increase,” derivative of augmentum “an increase,” from aug(ēre) “to increase” (akin to eke ¹ ) + -mentum -ment )

Word History and Origins

Origin of augment¹

C15: from Late Latin augmentāre to increase, from augmentum growth, from Latin augēre to increase

Example Sentences

Building on the core Xbox One controller, the Xbox Elite Series 2 features a host of augments and upgrades, including customizable buttons and swappable D-pads, to a wireless charging dock.

From Popular-Science

But Sex Box, with its ridiculous guinea pigs screwing conceit, will only augment our cultural hang-ups about sex.

From The Daily Beast

These are successful Americanizations of the culturally unique ancestors, and they augment what American cinema prizes.

From The Daily Beast

He seems to have done an acceptable job in that posting, so why not just continue and augment the relationship?

From The Daily Beast

SmartGlass will augment your gaming experience in a couple of ways.

From The Daily Beast

At dinner, she instructed the waiter to augment the french fries her husband had ordered with a side of spinach.

From The Daily Beast

Le nombre des Marchaux fut limit et non augment sous la Restoration.

From Project Gutenberg

The Secretary's remedy is to set them to raise provisions themselves, and thus augment the supply, while they diminish the demand.

From Project Gutenberg

But this one affection only served to augment the mischief that he wrought.

From Project Gutenberg

Evacuantia, L. Medicines which augment the secretions or excretions.

From Project Gutenberg

The duty of a being is to persevere in its being and even to augment the characteristics which specialize it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• add to
• amplify
• boost
• build up
• develop
• enhance
• enlarge
• expand
• heighten
• inflate
• intensify
• multiply
• reinforce
• strengthen

When To Use

What are other ways to say augment?

To augment something is to make it larger in size, number, strength, or extent. How is augment different from enlarge and increase? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

More About Augment

What does augment mean?

To augment something is to add to it in a way that makes it bigger or better.

The general sense of augment is used in a variety of contexts where something is literally or figuratively increased in size, number, shape, value, or in some other way.

A person might augment their salary with an additional source of income. A material like metal might be augmented to make it stronger. A teacher might augment a course’s textbook with additional learning materials.

The noun augmentation refers to the process of augmenting something or the thing that augments. Things that augment or things that are intended to augment can be described as augmentative.

A machine or device can be described as augmentable when other parts can be added to it to improve it in some way or give it additional functionality.

Augment is also used in much more specific ways in the context of music and grammar, but its general sense is much more commonly used.

Example: We recently augmented our nonfiction collection with many new titles by authors from marginalized communities.

Where does augment come from?

The first records of the word augment come from around 1400. It comes from the Late Latin augmentum, meaning “an increase,” from the verb aug(ēre), “to increase.”

Augment is often used in the context of an increase in size or amount, but it can refer to other kinds of changes, such as in quality. Augment is typically used in a neutral or positive way—it usually implies that whatever is being added to something will make the thing better.

One modern use of augment is in the phrase augmented reality (often abbreviated AR). AR involves technology that allows you to augment your view of your environment through the use of a smartphone or headset that will display images or text as if they were part of your actual surroundings.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to augment?

• augmented (past tense verb, adjective)
• augmentation (noun)
• augmentative (adjective)
• augmentable (adjective)
• augmenter (noun)

What are some synonyms for augment?

• increase
• enhance
• strengthen
• add to
• reinforce
• amplify
• boost
• enlarge
• expand

What are some words that share a root or word element with augment? 

• augmented reality

What are some words that often get used in discussing augment?

• size
• strength
• amount
• income
• salary
• change
• cognition
• shape
• strategy

How is augment used in real life?

Augment is a common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts. It’s a bit more formal than synonyms like increase, add to, and strengthen.

In the long run, AI will be most transformative in domains where it will augment, rather than replace, human intelligence — scientific research, education/personal growth, and media/entertainment

— François Chollet (@fchollet) March 15, 2018

This was a short journal article that will augment the material for this week's first homework assignment. Still have one more to read . . .

— Kimberly S Henderson (@PsychKnowBowl) February 15, 2012

What I need is semi regular Saturday or night work that I can do to augment my income when we really need it.

— Kareena (@The_Ausmerican) July 8, 2013

Try using augment!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of augment?

A. enhance

B. lessen

C. strengthen

D. enlarge