heighten
C1Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To make or become more intense, greater, or stronger.
To increase the degree, amount, or intensity of something, often an emotion, sensation, or quality. Can also refer to physically raising the level or position of something, though this is less common.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. Often used with abstract nouns (tension, awareness, effect, sense). Implies a noticeable and often deliberate increase. Can carry a slightly negative connotation when referring to undesirable states (e.g., 'heighten anxiety').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Same in both varieties. Slightly formal, precise.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both BrE and AmE. Perhaps slightly more common in AmE written contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP ___ NP (The speech heightened tension.)NP ___ (Tensions heightened.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'heighten'. Used within idiomatic phrases like 'to heighten the stakes'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss increasing risks, security measures, or market awareness (e.g., 'The merger heightened competition in the sector').
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and arts criticism to describe intensification of phenomena (e.g., 'The intervention heightened participants' cognitive engagement').
Everyday
Used to describe emotions, senses, or experiences (e.g., 'The music heightened the mood of the scene').
Technical
In photography/graphics: 'heighten contrast'; in security: 'heighten alert level'; in medicine: 'heighten sensitivity'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The recent spate of burglaries has heightened police vigilance in the neighbourhood.
- Watching the documentary heightened her appreciation for marine conservation.
American English
- The debate heightened tensions between the two political parties.
- Adding fresh herbs really heightens the flavor of the sauce.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not standard).
American English
- N/A (Not standard).
adjective
British English
- N/A (Not standard). 'Heightened' is the participial adjective, e.g., 'a heightened state of alert'.
American English
- N/A (Not standard). 'Heightened' is the participial adjective, e.g., 'with heightened awareness'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dark clouds heightened my fear of the storm.
- Good lighting can heighten the colours in a room.
- The government's announcement has heightened public anxiety about the economy.
- The use of metaphor in the poem heightens its emotional impact.
- The journalist's report served to heighten awareness of the humanitarian crisis.
- Critics argue that such policies merely heighten existing social inequalities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HEIGHT' + 'EN' (to make). You are making the 'height' or level of something greater.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS HEIGHT / MORE IS UP. Emotions, sensations, and qualities are conceptualised as having a vertical scale that can be raised.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'highlight' (выделять, подчеркивать).
- Avoid literal translation from 'height' as physical tallness. 'Heighten' is almost always abstract.
- Not a synonym for 'excite' (волновать) unless referring to intensifying excitement itself.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'highten' (incorrect). Remember the 'eigh' from 'height'.
- Using it for physical height: 'They heightened the fence' is odd; 'raised' or 'made higher' is better.
- Confusion with intransitive/transitive: 'The mood heightened' (intransitive) vs. 'It heightened the mood' (transitive).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'heighten' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is more common in formal or neutral written contexts than in casual speech, where 'increase' or 'make stronger' might be used.
Yes, though less frequently. E.g., 'As the crisis continued, fears heightened.'
They are very close synonyms. 'Heighten' often suggests raising to a higher degree or level, while 'intensify' can imply a concentration of force or power. They are often interchangeable.
It follows the common verb-forming suffix '-en' (as in 'widen', 'sharpen'). The base noun is 'height', so the verb is 'height-en'.