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. 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

• augˈmentable, adjective
• augˈmentor, noun

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

David Murakami’s projections augment the theatrical picture, conjuring a warship with the speed and stealth of an undeterrable shark.

From Los Angeles Times

They’ve also placed orders for hundreds of new Airbus and Boeing planes worth billions of dollars to augment their offering.

From BBC

The number of removal flights would also need to be dramatically expanded, possibly requiring military aircraft to augment current capacity.

From BBC

Now Kim is sending North Korean troops—many of them elite Special Forces—to augment the ill-equipped men that Russian commanders have hurled into combat like cannon fodder.

From Slate

The lawsuit singles out certain features as problematic: alerts that disrupt sleep; videos that vanish, driving users to check the platform frequently; and beauty filters that allow users to augment their appearance.

From BBC

Related Words

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