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

But Trump just won reelection on a promise to abolish birthright citizenship, and he seems unlikely to elevate a vocal foe of his own plan to the high court.

From Slate

In the weeks leading up to the election, Donald Trump indicated he would elevate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a place of leadership over America’s health policy.

From Slate

But with Trump as president, Netanyahu can elevate his ambitions; Trump might even order the U.S.

From Slate

Kennedy’s own cousin, healthcare lawyer Ted Kennedy Jr., said he was “deeply concerned” by Trump’s decision to elevate his cousin.

From Salon

Now, again, maybe that harm is mitigated because they can reregister to vote, but why not look at all four of these things rather than just elevate one thing?

From Slate

Related Words

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