elevate

[ verb el-uh-veyt; adjective el-uh-veyt, -vit ]

verb (used with object)

, el·e·vat·ed, el·e·vat·ing.

1. to move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up.

   Synonyms: hoist, lift

2. to raise to a higher state, rank, or office; exalt; promote:

   to elevate an archbishop to cardinal.

   Synonyms: dignify, upgrade, advance

3. to raise to a higher intellectual or spiritual level:

   Good poetry may elevate the mind.

4. to raise the spirits; put in high spirits.
5. to raise (the voice) in pitch or volume.

adjective

1. Archaic. raised; elevated.

elevate

/ ˈɛlɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to move to a higher place
2. to raise in rank or status; promote
3. to put in a cheerful mood; elate
4. to put on a higher cultural plane; uplift

   to elevate the tone of a conversation

5. to raise the axis of a gun
6. to raise the intensity or pitch of (the voice)
7. RC Church to lift up (the Host) at Mass for adoration

Derived Forms

• ˌeleˈvatory, adjective

Other Words From

• non·ele·vating adjective
• re·ele·vate verb (used with object) reelevated reelevating

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevate¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin ēlevātus “lightened, lifted up,” past participle of ēlevāre “to lift up,” from ē- e- ¹ + levāre “to lighten, lift”; relieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevate¹

C15: from Latin ēlevāre from levāre to raise, from levis (adj) light

Synonym Study

Elevate, enhance, exalt, heighten mean to raise or make higher in some respect. To elevate is to raise something up to a higher level, position, or state: to elevate the living standards of a group. To enhance is to add to the attractions or desirability of something: Landscaping enhances the beauty of the grounds. To exalt is to raise very high in rank, character, estimation, mood, etc.: A king is exalted above his subjects. To heighten is to increase the strength or intensity: to heighten one's powers of concentration.

Example Sentences

As food prices remain elevated across the country, a September report from the U.S.

From Salon

But there’s an overt subtext too that might elevate the movie for those unfamiliar with the show, who had maybe assumed it was a sweet and frothy musical comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

Elsewhere, since retaking the city of Vuhledar in October - an elevated position which sits above key supply lines and which Moscow spent two years fighting for - Russia has thrown resources at Kurakhove.

From BBC

Kennedy has elevated threats to the livelihoods of scientists who have resisted his brand of balderdash from the implicit to the explicit.

From Los Angeles Times

Immediately after the election, Newsom appeared to pick up the same divisive playbook he used during his first two years in office to elevate himself as a leader of the Democratic resistance to Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appoint
• boost
• build up
• enhance
• heighten
• intensify
• prefer
• upgrade

More About Elevate

What does elevate mean?

To elevate something is to move it to a higher position or to lift it up, as in The mechanic elevated the car on a lift so she could work underneath it.

Literally, to elevate means to move something to a higher plane. This is normally used in reference to machines or vehicles made to raise something or to lift up something like a ceiling or shelf.

Elevate is more commonly used figuratively, meaning to go up in status, value, office, or something else that is measured from low to high. For example, if you become captain of your basketball team, you are elevated to the role of captain.

Elevate also means to move feelings from negative to positive or to increase the positivity of feelings. If you’re feeling sad, you might try to elevate your feelings to happiness by taking a hike or going out with friends.

Example: I will be elevated to the rank of vice president by the end of the year.

Where does elevate come from?

The first records of the term elevate come from around the 1490s. It comes from the Latin ēlevātus meaning “lightened” or “lifted up.”

Elevate is often used in philosophical or spiritual discussions, even casual conversations. In these situations, elevate is often used as a synonym for transcend and is a major part of several mindfulness or meditative philosophies that deal with ignoring or accepting physical worries and becoming relaxed or more calm as a result.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to elevate?

• elevated (verb, adjective)
• reelevate (verb)
• nonelevating (adjective)
• elevator (noun)

What are some synonyms for elevate?

• uplift
• appoint
• promote
• refine
• boost

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

• elevator
• elevation
• elevated

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

• altitude
• building
• mood
• position

How is elevate used in real life?

Elevate can be used literally or figuratively to mean to lift up.

Elevate
Make Money
Give Back

— Saint Laurent Don (@21savage) June 5, 2019

the human says. there are two options.. inside or outside. but if they would. elevate their mindset. they would uncover. a third option: stand. in the doorway. and sniff the air

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) December 7, 2017

Don't be afraid to elevate your mind and do things better than you did before. #LaughNowFlyLater

— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) October 19, 2017

 

Try using elevate!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for elevate?

A. raise
B. fall
C. heighten
D. uplift